Manufacturing Engineering
Graduate Courses
MFE 500. CURRENT TOPICS IN MANUFACTURING SEMINAR
This seminar identifies the typical problems
involved in a variety of manufacturing operations,
and generic approaches for applying advanced
technologies to implement operations. Topical
areas of application and development such as intelligent
materials processing, automated assembly,
MRP and JIT scheduling, vision recognition systems,
high-speed computer networks, distributed
computer control of manufacturing processes and
flexible manufacturing systems may be covered.
This seminar is coordinated with the undergraduate
program in manufacturing engineering.
Required for all full-time students.
MFE 510. CONTROL AND MONITORING OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Covers a broad range of topics centered on control
and monitoring functions for manufacturing, including process control, feedback systems, data
collection and analysis, scheduling, machine-computer
interfacing and distributed control. Typical
applications are considered with lab work.
MFE 511. APPLICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS
(Concurrent with ME 4815) This course
introduces the student to the field of industrial
automation. Topics covered include robot specification
and selection, control and drive methods,
part presentation, economic justification, safety,
implementation, product design and programming
languages. The course combines the use of
lecture, project work and laboratories that utilize
industrial robots. Theory and application of
robotic systems will be emphasized.
MFE 520. AXIOMATIC DESIGN OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
The first half of the course covers the axiomatic
design method, applied to simultaneous product
and process design for concurrent engineering,
with the emphasis on process and manufacturing
tool design. Basic design principles as well as
qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis
of designs are developed. The second half of the
course addresses methods of engineering analysis
of manufacturing processes, to support machine
tool and process design. Basic types of engineering
analysis are applied to manufacturing situations,
including elasticity, plasticity, heat transfer, mechanics
and cost analysis. Special attention will be
given to the mechanics of machining (traditional,
nontraditional and grinding) and the production
of surfaces. Students, work in groups on a series
of projects.
MFE 531. COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING
An overview of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). As the CIM concept attempts to integrate all of the business and engineering functions of a firm, this course builds on the knowledge of computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, concurrent engineering, management of information systems and operations management to demonstrate the strategic importance of integration. Emphasis is placed on CAD/CAM integration. Topics include, part design specification and manufacturing quality, tooling and fixture design, and manufacturing information systems. This course includes a group term project. (Prerequisites: Background in manufacturing and CAD/CAM, e.g., ME 1800, ES 1310, ME 3820.) Note: Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have taken the Special Topics version of the same course (MFE593D/MFE594D).
MFE 541. DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURABILITY
The problems of cost determination and evaluation of processing alternatives in the design-manufacturing interface are discussed. Approaches for introducing manufacturing capability knowledge into the product design process are covered. An emphasis is placed on part and process simplification, and analysis of alternative manufacturing methods based on such parameters as: anticipated volume, product life cycle, lead time, customer requirements, and quality yield. Lean manufacturing and Six-Sigma concepts and their influence on design quality are included as well. Note: Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have taken the Special Topics version of the same course (MFE594M).
MFE 5841. SURFACE METROLOGY
This course emphasizes research applications of advanced surface metrology, including the measurement
and analysis of surface roughness. Surface
metrology can be important in a wide variety
of situations including adhesion, friction, catalysis,
heat transfer, mass transfer, scattering, biological
growth, wear and wetting. These situations impact
practically all the engineering disciplines and
sciences. The course begins by considering basic
principles and conventional analyses, and methods.
Measurement and analysis methods are critically
reviewed for utility. Students learn advanced
methods for differentiating surface textures that
are suspected of being different because of their
performance or manufacture. Students will also
learn methods for making correlations between
surface textures and behavioral and manufacturing
parameters. The results of applying these methods
can be used to support the design and manufacture
of surface textures, and to address issues in
quality assurance. Examples of research from a
broad range of applications are presented, including,
food science, pavements, friction, adhesion,
machining and grinding. Students do a major
project of their choosing, which can involve either
an in-depth literature review, or surface measurement
and analysis. The facilities of WPI’s Surface
Metrology Laboratory are available for making
measurements for selected projects. Software for
advanced analysis methods is also available for use
in the course. No previous knowledge of surface
metrology is required. Students should have some
background in engineering, math or science.
MFE 590. CAPSTONE PROJECT IN MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
The new capstone course (MFE 590) will provide a practical experience for the students in the M.S. MFE Program to synthesize their learning and to apply knowledge to solving real-world manufacturing problems. The projects will be sponsored by either internal units on campus or external organizations. In addition to a written report, the project results will be formally presented to the class, outside sponsors and other interested parties.