ME 250 was one of the most challenging and time consuming classes I have taken here at the University of Michigan so far. That being said, it was also one where I learned a ton, and one that I actually had fun in doing so. Coming in to this class, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how I was going to build a remote control vehicle and actually understand what I was doing. However, I learned so much about design and manufacturing, and was even able to construct a second-place machine in the process.
Before starting this class, I had no idea how to use a lathe or mill, I couldn’t tell you what a gear ratio was, and I had no clue how a control box, motor, battery, and gear box can function to turn an axle. But now, I know all of those things and I even have a fairly in depth understanding of each of them. It is amazing how much you can learn when you are working on a hands-on type of project.
I now understand how basic machines function and how components and processes work together to achieve the desired output. Furthermore, I have learned how to do simple analyses and calculations that provide insights into how a machine or certain components might perform given a specific situation. I also learned how to use a ton of different machines and tools in the shop, and I now even know most of the terminology for different tools and parts. Finally and most importantly, this class taught me the entire step-by-step process of designing and manufacturing a machine, from start to finish.
Aside from pure new knowledge, I was also able to hone my teamwork and time management skills. Throughout the semester, everything we did was done in a team of four students, and there was a lot to do. Therefore, we all had to make sure that we were working well together, which resulted in efficient use of our time. I think this is one reason why my team did so well in the competition and ultimately created a great machine.
However, there was definitely still room for improvement. One thing that we soon realized was a mistake, was coming to the machine shop without a detailed plan for how to manufacture a part or a clear drawing that was fully dimensions. We learned the hard way that a lot of time can be wasted in the shop if you have to continuously look up the machine running speed or the drill size for a specific hole, etc. Moreover, this creates chaos and disorganization in the shop. So, if I had to do it over again, I would make sure that our whole machine was fully planned out and designed with detailed drawings and manufacturing processes before starting to actually build it.
Overall, I think the course was a great one and I really only see one area for major improvement. Specifically, I think a lot of valuable time was wasted in the beginning of the semester. While obviously it is important that students first learn the necessary material in lectures before trying to implement it, I think things could have been done a bit more efficiently. I would suggest condensing a few of the original lectures, especially the one about creativity and teamwork, because as students at U of M, a lot of this material is either review or simply common knowledge. This way, the whole process could be moved forward by a few days and people wouldn’t be cramming quite as badly at the end.
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