Sketching to solid modelling skills for mechanical engineers

Year: 2009
Editor: Clarke, A, Ion, W, McMahon, C and Hogarth, P
Author: Robb, David A.; Flora, Harminder; Childs, Peter R. N.
Section: NEW PEDAGOGY
Page(s): 275-280

Abstract

Hand sketching skills remain an important part of aiding discussions in meetings and are, for example, an essential asset for brainstorming and other ideation activities. The tendency for novice students on entry to engineering and design degree programmes to produce naïve, laboured or 'glitzy' sketches and inappropriate CAD representations has previously been identified. This paper describes the strategy implemented at Imperial College London for the MEng in Mechanical Engineering in order to develop key sketching skills across the diverse intake of students and in conjunction with the development of CAD solid modelling and technical drawing capabilities. The approach, based on use of visual diaries, museum and site visits, design, make and test and conceptual exercises has ensured that all students are able to sketch and produce solid models in their first year, although the production of naïve and laboured sketches continues to some extent.

Keywords: Sketching, solid modelling, mechanical engineering, design