Design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data: Learning experience in the design and manufacture lab course

The responsibility of the course provider or instructor is to formulate (i) objectives (ii) instructional activities and materials and (iii) assessments. An assignment in a lab course aimed at achieving the student outcomes (i) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering and (ii) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as analyse and interpret data is described here. The objective was set as training the students to use engineering and mathematical knowledge they have to designing and conducting 'Development Experiments' as well as analyzing and interpreting data using the Scientific Method. The task started from the observation that even though the NC program is set to produce a nominal value in an NC machining process, there is a variation in the dimension that has been produced. The students were asked to carry out an experiment to determine the process capability of a DMG turning center. The instructional method used, comprised of three components (i) pre-class guided learning (ii) in-class discussion and (iii) post-class planning before the lab class. Twenty four students produced twenty four samples each having five trials (components). The data was collected systematically and statistical methods were used to analyze and interpret data. The students were assessed in (i) designing the experiment (ii) conducting and collecting data (iii) analyzing the data and (iv) interpreting the data and drawing conclusions. The results showed enthusiastic participation and very good performance. A post-class survey would have identified the areas where they have had substantial benefits and where improvements could be made. However this has not been done. This hindsight led to the development of a questionnaire that could be used in the future.