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Daniel Frank

Hello, everyone! Welcome to this course on Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process. This is part of the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization. In this course, I’ll cover the engineering design process and how it can be used to solve open-ended problems. I’ll discuss the different stages of prototyping and why it is advantageous to produce prototypes rapidly. I’ll then discuss engineering drawings and how to communicate information about 3-dimensional objects on 2-dimensional mediums such as paper or a computer screen. Finally, I’ll end this course by discussing computer-aided design, also known as CAD, and how it can greatly assist in making prototypes.

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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this course on Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process. This is part of the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization. In this course, I’ll cover the engineering design process and how it can be used to solve open-ended problems. I’ll discuss the different stages of prototyping and why it is advantageous to produce prototypes rapidly. I’ll then discuss engineering drawings and how to communicate information about 3-dimensional objects on 2-dimensional mediums such as paper or a computer screen. Finally, I’ll end this course by discussing computer-aided design, also known as CAD, and how it can greatly assist in making prototypes.

By exploring many examples from different robotics projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on, by the end of this course, you should have a better understanding of the engineering design process and where rapid prototyping fits into it, as well as some tools to help you with developing high-quality prototypes. There’s a lot of awesome content to cover, so without further ado, let’s dive into the world of rapid prototyping!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Hello, everyone! Welcome to this course on Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process. This is part of the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization. In this course, I’ll cover the engineering design process and how it can be used to solve open-ended problems. I’ll discuss the different stages of prototyping and why it is advantageous to produce prototypes rapidly. I’ll then discuss engineering drawings and how to communicate information about 3-dimensional objects on 2-dimensional mediums such as paper or a computer screen. Finally, I’ll end this course by discussing computer-aided design, also known as CAD, and how it can greatly assist in making prototypes. By exploring many examples from different robotics projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on, by the end of this course, you should have a better understanding of the engineering design process and where rapid prototyping fits into it, as well as some tools to help you with developing high-quality prototypes. There’s a lot of awesome content to cover, so without further ado, let’s dive into the world of rapid prototyping!
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Module 1: What Is the Engineering Design Process?
In this module, you will learn about the engineering design process and how it can be used to solve open-ended problems.
Module 2: Prototypes
In this module, you will learn about the different types of prototypes and the advantages to producing them rapidly.
Module 3: Visual Thinking and CAD
In this module, you will learn about the challenges and best practices when conveying information about a 3-dimensional object on a 2-dimensional surface and how CAD can aid in the prototyping process.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the engineering design process, which is standard in industry
Teaches rapid prototyping, which helps learners solve open-ended design problems
Covers engineering drawings, which are core skills for design engineers
Taught by Daniel Frank, who are recognized for their work in robotics
Examines computer-aided design, which is relevant to prototyping
This course is part of the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization, which strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process with these activities:
Review Engineering Design Process
Refreshing your knowledge of the engineering design process will provide a strong foundation for this course.
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  • Recall the stages of the engineering design process
  • Review examples of successful engineering design projects
  • Identify tools and techniques used in each stage of the process
Brush Up on Your Math Skills
Ensure a strong foundation in mathematics for engineering design.
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  • Review basic math concepts such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
  • Solve practice problems to reinforce your skills.
Review basics of engineering design
Review the fundamentals of engineering design to strengthen your understanding of the core concepts.
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  • Read through textbooks or online resources on engineering design.
  • Work through practice problems and exercises related to design principles.
16 other activities
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Organize Course Materials
Reviewing course materials prior to beginning the course can help familiarize yourself with the course and what to expect.
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  • Gather course syllabus, schedule, and assignments
  • Review materials to understand course expectations and workload
  • Set up a filing system or binder for course materials
Take Practice Quizzes on Engineering Design
Test and reinforce your understanding of engineering design principles.
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  • Find practice quizzes online or in textbooks.
  • Take the quizzes and review your answers.
  • Identify areas where you need additional practice.
Explore Rapid Prototyping Software
Experimenting with rapid prototyping software will familiarize yourself with the tools and techniques used in this course.
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  • Identify available rapid prototyping software
  • Explore features and capabilities of different software
  • Complete tutorials or exercises to learn software basics
Review Your Notes and Assignments
Strengthen your comprehension of the course material.
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  • Gather your notes, assignments, and any other relevant materials.
  • Review the materials and make sure you understand the concepts.
  • Identify any areas where you need additional clarification.
Follow online tutorials on rapid prototyping techniques
Expand your knowledge of rapid prototyping techniques through guided tutorials.
Browse courses on Rapid Prototyping
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  • Search for online tutorials on rapid prototyping.
  • Choose a tutorial that aligns with your interests and skill level.
  • Follow the tutorial steps and complete the exercises.
Learn about Rapid Prototyping
Become familiar with the concepts and benefits of rapid prototyping.
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  • Watch online tutorials about rapid prototyping.
  • Read articles and blog posts about rapid prototyping.
  • Join online forums dedicated to rapid prototyping.
Solve engineering design problems
Practice applying engineering design principles to solve real-world problems.
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  • Identify a specific engineering design problem.
  • Research and gather information relevant to the problem.
  • Brainstorm and generate multiple design solutions.
  • Evaluate and select the best design solution.
Collaborate with peers on rapid prototyping projects
Enhance your understanding by working with peers on rapid prototyping projects.
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  • Find a group of peers with complementary skills and interests.
  • Choose a specific rapid prototyping project to work on together.
  • Divide tasks and responsibilities among team members.
  • Regularly communicate and share updates on progress.
Design and Build a Simple Prototype
By starting a project early on, you can apply concepts learned in the course to a practical scenario.
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  • Identify a simple design project
  • Sketch or model the design
  • Use rapid prototyping techniques to create a physical prototype
  • Test and evaluate the prototype
Practice Engineering Design Process
Through practice, become more comfortable with the engineering design process.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem that can be solved through engineering design.
  • Brainstorm and sketch out potential solutions.
  • Develop a prototype of your solution.
  • Test your prototype and collect data.
  • Refine your design based on the data you collected.
Create a Presentation on CAD
Develop a deeper understanding of CAD and its applications.
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  • Research the basics of CAD.
  • Learn about different CAD software programs.
  • Create a simple CAD model.
  • Present your CAD model to others.
Develop a rapid prototype for a specific engineering project
Apply your understanding of rapid prototyping by creating a tangible prototype for a real-world engineering project.
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  • Identify a suitable engineering project for rapid prototyping.
  • Design and plan the prototype using CAD software or other tools.
  • Choose appropriate rapid prototyping techniques and materials.
  • Build and test the prototype.
Solve Engineering Design Problems
Practice solving engineering design problems to reinforce concepts and improve problem-solving skills.
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  • Review engineering design case studies
  • Identify problem statements
  • Brainstorm and develop solutions
Contribute to open-source rapid prototyping projects
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the rapid prototyping community by participating in open-source projects.
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  • Identify a suitable open-source rapid prototyping project.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase.
  • Make code contributions or provide feedback to the project.
Develop a Rapid Prototyping Proposal
Creating a proposal will help you plan and outline a rapid prototyping project.
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  • Define the project goals and objectives
  • Research and identify appropriate rapid prototyping techniques
  • Develop a budget and timeline for the project
  • Write and submit a project proposal
Design and Build a Small Device
Apply your knowledge of engineering design and rapid prototyping to create a tangible product.
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Show steps
  • Define the problem that your device will solve.
  • Research and brainstorm different design solutions.
  • Create a prototype of your device.
  • Test and refine your prototype.
  • Build a final version of your device.

Career center

Learners who complete Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Product Design Engineer
Product Design Engineers are responsible for designing and developing new products. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Product Design Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and usability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing, manufacturing, and maintaining mechanical devices and systems. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Mechanical Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the feasibility of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for planning and overseeing the production of products. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Manufacturing Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to identify and eliminate potential problems in the manufacturing process.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and programming robots. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Robotics Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and reliability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers are responsible for designing the appearance and functionality of products. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Industrial Designers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and usability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, and other aerospace vehicles. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Aerospace Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the aerodynamics and other performance characteristics of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers are responsible for designing and developing medical devices and equipment. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Biomedical Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and biocompatibility of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and testing automobiles and other vehicles. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Automotive Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the performance and reliability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and testing electrical systems and devices. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Electrical Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and reliability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear Engineers are responsible for designing and operating nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Nuclear Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the safety and efficiency of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers are responsible for designing and building infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Civil Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the structural integrity and safety of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing solutions to environmental problems. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Environmental Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the effectiveness of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Materials Engineer
Materials Engineers are responsible for designing and developing new materials. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Materials Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the properties and performance of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers are responsible for designing and operating chemical plants and processes. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Chemical Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the efficiency and safety of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software systems. Rapid prototyping can be a valuable tool for Software Engineers, as it allows them to quickly and easily create prototypes of their designs. This can help them to test the functionality and usability of their designs and to identify any potential problems early on.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process.
Provides a comprehensive overview of rapid prototyping techniques, from the basics to more advanced topics such as 3D printing and rapid tooling.
Provides a comprehensive guide to engineering drawing and design, from basic concepts to advanced techniques.
Provides a practical introduction to robotics, from basic concepts to more advanced topics such as mobile robotics and machine learning.
A classic work on the principles of design, from the perspective of industrial design.
A classic work on the principles of design, with a focus on human-computer interaction.

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