Computer-animated teaching software for engineering dynamics and mechanical vibration

Abstract

Beginning in the Fall 1994 semester, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The City College of The City University of New York has introduced the utilization of computer animated modules in its undergraduate dynamics course which are intended to help the students visualize and obtain a better understanding of important concepts covered in the course. The software which these modules are based on is called Working Model and is commercially available from Knowledge Revolution, San Francisco, CA. The software allows the user to create two dimensional mechanical systems on the screen containing devices such as springs, masses, pulleys, dampers, motors and actuators. Various types of forces may be simulated including gravitational, frictional and electrostatic forces. Clicking a RUN button animates the experiment. Controls may be introduced which allow the user to vary physical parameters such as initial position, velocity, and acceleration of objects, magnitude and direction of applied forces and torques, etc. Physical quantities such as velocity, acceleration, linear and angular momentum and kinetic energy may be measured and displayed while an animation is in progress. Several illustrative modules have been developed covering a variety of topics. In addition, as the students became acquainted with the software, they were given specific topics and asked to develop their own modules. The paper describes some of the modules developed and the students' reactions to this learning experience.