Machine Design for Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Catalog description

This course is designed to provide a broad foundation for understanding machine design for engineering students who are interested in machine systems. In addition, this course serves as a foundation for those wishing to develop a more focused understanding of agricultural and general machine systems and is a prerequisite for ABSM and BE 400 level courses. Machine systems are an integral part of many agricultural operations from field production to post-harvest processing, storage, transportation, and bio-based processing. Biomass feedstock logistics and bioenergy production systems are heavily relying on machine systems. Agricultural engineers will likely encounter a wide range of powered and automated equipment in their careers. This course consists of lectures, labs, and open-ended mechanical design projects. Lab activities focus on testing and evaluating of machine performance using machine components, prototype machines and instruments. Lab activities and design projects will be completed in the format of small groups. This course equips the students with skills to: (1) describe operating characteristics of engines and electric motors and properly select models for different applications; (2) design machine elements and mechanical power transmission systems to accomplish a machine task; (3) apply basic physics and engineering principles in a variety of machine-product interaction situations: and (4) practice technical report writing and oral presentation.