MEC 3220 - Materials and Manufacturing Processes

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits

Course Description
This course covers basic manufacturing processes commonly used in the production of mechanical components. Process characteristics are covered along with design, economic and environmental considerations. Topics include casting, forging, powder metallurgy, traditional machining, laser/waterjet/EDM, additive manufacturing, and processes for producing polymer parts. The relationship between heat treatment and the underlying related strengthening mechanisms are presented for age hardening and for heat treatment of steels. The course introduces several topics in manufacturing systems including computer simulation of the casting process, design for manufacturing, quality control, and sustainable manufacturing. (prereq: MEC 3210, MTH 2480) (quarter system prereq: ME 322)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the attributes of common manufacturing processes
Determine if a process is appropriate for a specific part based on capabilities and limitations of the processes
Determine a best manufacturing process when comparing several possible options, based on part attributes and required production quantities
Design components for ease of manufacture, applying appropriate design guidelines
Recommend a process which will provide desired mechanical properties in a part based on microstructure-processing-property relationships
Describe pros and cons of a process choice with regard to sustainable manufacturing principles

Prerequisites by Topic

Crystal structure and defects in solids
Mechanical properties and common test methods
Strengthening mechanisms in metals and alloys
Phase diagrams and lever rule
Fundamentals of solidification
Diffusion in solids
Probability and statistics

Course Topics

Classification of manufacturing systems
Manufacturing quality control
Precipitation strengthening heat treatment (age hardening)
Microstructure and heat treatment of steels
Effect of alloy elements in steels and stainless steels
Casting processes
Deformation processing
Powder metallurgy
Machining - traditional metal cutting
Non-traditional machining - EDM, laser, waterjet
Polymers and part processing
Additive manufacturing
Sustainable manufacturing and sustainable product design

Laboratory Topics

Precipitation strengthening of aluminum
Heat treatment and microstructure of steel
Jominy test and hardenability of steel
Statistical process control
Foundry practice and sand casting
CNC machining and surface roughness

Coordinator
Dr. Mathew Schaefer

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MEC 3220 - Materials and Manufacturing Processes