Beth Todd

A visual basic program to pre-process MRI data for finite element modeling

Investigators use non-invasive imaging to collect geometric data for finite element models. A preprocessor is described to facilitate model generation of anatomical regions from serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data stored in a bitmap format. The MRI Data Transfer System is a stand-alone Windows-based program developed in VISUAL BASIC 3.0 which generates a NASTRAN input file. The program can be modified to generate input files for other solvers. The software will executive on any IBM-compatible computer which runs Windows Version 3.1 or higher. To demonstrate the software, model generation of a portion of a tibia is described.

Teaching Capstone Design to a Multiple Location Team

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama offers its BSME degree through distance education to students in Dothan, Alabama, located approximately 240 miles from the campus in Tuscaloosa. These off-site students are full-time employees, many are machinists or technicians working swing shift, with the desire to become engineers. The goal of the program described here is to provide these non-traditional students with the same technical and professional content in their courses as students on campus. As the first group of students finished their degree program, the lates challenge has been to create a team-based design experience with traditional student team members and these distance education students. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges and solutions for teaching capstone design to teams with members at multiple locations. For companies with multiple and multi-national locations, these students should be seen as having an important skill set as new employees.Copyright

Beta Testing a Web-Based Writing Coach

“The Coach” is a web-based tool developed to guide students through the technical writing process. It provides instruction about form as well as critique of different aspects of the students’ writing. It goes beyond the Microsoft word spell check and grammar check. It gives feedback about writing complexity and appropriateness for different word choices in a technical document. It also gives background about the appropriate contents for technical writing in addition to example documents. The latter is extremely important for the novice writer who may not have much experience in working with technical reports.The initial document type in “The Coach” is a lab report. If the lab report can be developed into the web-based tool, other forms will be more easily implemented. In addition to developing the website, the development team is preparing a document and a video for a professor to use to instruct students on the use of “The Coach.”The instructional materials and “The Coach” were beta tested with a freshman engineering class. A baseline writing sample was collected before the introduction of “The Coach.” Students in some sections were instructed in use of “The Coach,” and other sections were controls. Additional beta testing is ongoing.© 2012 ASME

Best Practices in Student Section Participation and Professional Development

ASME student sections have a strong tradition of serving the needs of undergraduate students at universities across the country and around the globe. Similar to senior sections, student sections can learn from one another by sharing best practices. This paper describes best practices in four areas of student section programming: 1) membership, 2) STEM outreach, 3) section leadership development, and 4) inclusion of graduate students. Through these and other best practices, student sections can remain effective in their role as a partner in workforce development.Copyright

Safe Device for a Theatrical Hanging

A low-cost hanging system was requested by the Theatre Department for the production of Henry V. Design constraints were developed with an emphasis on the actor’s safety. To that end, biomechanical literature related to head and neck injury was reviewed. During testing of the device, acceleration measurements were made for comparison with literature values. Finite element analysis was performed on the structural support to determine its effectiveness. The final design met all of the criteria and was tested extensively by the designers.Copyright

Universal Attachment for the Wheeling Striker

Seeking to improve the quality of life for a disabled child, Stephen Horne of Birmingham, AL, designed and built a device to allow a person in a wheelchair to bowl. Although wheelchair bowling is not a new concept, Stephen’s Wheeling Striker was anything but common. Unlike similar devices, the Wheeling Striker provides the bowler a more independent bowling experience. The simple u-shaped device allows more control over the ball, yielding a more fulfilling and independent method of participating in the sports arena. The Wheeling Striker, however, was originally designed for one style wheelchair. This presented a need to make the device applicable for all wheelchairs. Because wheelchairs vary in size and configuration, designing a device that is capable of attaching to most wheelchairs is complex. The design of the universal attachment could not compromise the capability of the Wheeling Striker, the function of the wheelchair, or the safe operation of the wheelchair. The result was a universal attachment engineered to adapt to any wheelchair configuration and allow the Wheeling Striker to be a safe and effective bowling aid for the disabled.Copyright

Crash Test Software Analysis

The development of highly advanced computer simulation software packages has enabled design engineers to more effectively integrate safety features into their designs. Designs can be tested long before any physical construction ever begins. This saves money, allowing more extensive testing to be performed, and it also saves time, expediting the process of moving concept to reality. In the automotive industry, such software can be especially useful, since computer simulations can be run over and over again, making it possible to observe the effects of adjusting single variables in dynamic situations. This has opened the door for testing of non-typical occupants. Restraints and safety devices are no longer designed to suit the needs of the average person; they can be tailored to account for all body types, or even for the disabled.Copyright