Experiential Learning Centre

Experiential learning creates a deeper understanding of course content, promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, and allows students to actively participate, reflect, and apply new knowledge and skills. The goal of mechanical engineering Experiential Learning (EL) activities encompass lifelong learning, design process, and embodying interdisciplinary interventions for solving open ended problems. Experiential learning activities provide opportunities for students to explore the synergies between different disciplines like design, manufacturing, thermal, mechatronics, electronics through hands-on projects and practical applications.

ELC Coordinators: Dr. Bikramjit Sharma, Mr. Sumeet Sharma, Dr. Rajesh Shukla, Dr. P Kalyan Chakravarty K., Dr. A.M. Gadade, Dr. Jyotindra Narayan

Semester 1: Dissection of mountain bicycle and Engineering Design challenge

Description:

During the first semester the students have little or no knowledge of engineering, so the students dissect and explore a bicycle and use the newly acquired knowledge to conceptualize a new design of bicycle. In this engagement students, in groups, are given bicycle for disassembly and reassembly. They take apart the bike axle (back, front or crank), handle bar assembly and the rear suspension. In later part of EL day, they develop a concept and make sketches or drawings of a special needs bicycle.

Objectives:

· To introduce the students to the engineering concepts of product design and engineering, materials, manufacturing, special features using a commonly used engineered product.

· To induce self learning in the students about conceptual, functional and operational design aspects through disassembly and assembly of a chosen engineering product using using standard tools.

· To induce the culture of engineering design through a design challenge to meet a social need.

Learning Outcome:

· Engineering design vocabulary

· a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind bicycles

· innovative solutions to address specific user needs

· Idea pitching using cohesive and engaging presentation of their design

Faculty Facilitators:

Dr. R. K. Duvedi

Dr. Bikramjit Sharma

Dr. Ravinder Singh Joshi (Team Lead)

Dr. Rajendra Kumar

Dr. Sachin Singh

Dr. Pankaj Kumar

Dr. Prabhat Chand Yadav

Semester 2: Dissection of internal combustion engine and automobile transmission

Description:

In this activity students get to dissect and reassemble a portable internal combustion engine and automobile gearbox. Students learn about materials, parts and their functions, mechanics, thermodynamics, electronics involved and several other concepts related to operation of I.C Engine. The activity day ends with a reflection session where the students discuss their observations with each other and expert faculty. The students form groups and solve design challenge under the guidance of faculty with specialization in related areas of engineering.

Objectives:

The engine dissection event is planned to make students learn and understand the role of:

· Components of an Internal Combustion Engine.

· Engineering materials

· Importance of mechanical design

· Assembly and disassembly process of industrial equipment.

· Tools and auxiliary components used for mechanical assembly.

· Safety features in an industrial equipment.

· Experience working with real world equipment

Learning Outcome:

· Successfully disassemble and reassemble engine

· Handling of tools used for disassembly

· Mechanisms in Internal combustion engine

· Materials, parts and their function

· Testing method for engine for its performance

Faculty Facilitators:

Sh. Sumit Sharma

Dr. Amandeep Oberoi

Dr. Gagandeep Bhardwaj

Dr. Ratnesh Kumar

Dr. Devender Kumar (Team Lead)

Dr. Anu Mittal

Dr. Gautam Setia

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Shukla

Semester 3: Design of a pneumatically actuated chair testing machine

Description:

The goal of this activity is to expose the students to use of pre-engineered parts to prototype machine quickly and economically. In this machine design thread with pre-engineered components, students learn about machine structures and pneumatic systems. In the process they learn about data sheets and part selection and fabricate the pneumatic system of a chair testing machine. They learn about collection of testing data from the machine, use it for development of furniture testing machine.

Objectives:

· Perform need analysis

· Explore design standards for testing machine

· design pneumatic circuit for an office chair durability testing machine.

· perform analysis of stresses and deflections in structure in the 4th semester (Minor project in CADA).

Learning Outcome:

· understanding engineering design process

· use of standards in design

· analysis of stresses, strains

· understand requirements of pneumatic system

· simulation of pneumatic system

· assembly of pneumatic parts and control system

· data collection for intended functioning of testing system

Faculty Facilitators:

Dr. Ashish Singla

Dr. Anant Kumar Singh (Team Lead)

Dr. Bikramjit Sharma

Dr. Jay Prakash Tripathi

Dr. A.M. Gadade

Semester 4: Design and testing of a CNC machine tool drive and control system

The students are given a working CNC machine and they are expected to take apart all the components and reassemble the machine. In this machine design thread with pre-engineered components students learn about linear motion elements, pulleys, screws, belts and actuators. This also facilitates the understanding of principles behind computer-controlled machines and its programming. They are asked to design a pen plotter considering loads, constraints and manufacturability of the components.

· use of pre-engineered parts to prototype CNC machines.

· Understand working of 2-axis CNC tables.

· The assembly reassembly familiarizes the students with the intricate working of the machine and the concept behind CNC programming.

Learning Outcome:

· Understanding of NC drive system components

· Assembly of 2-axis table for precise movements

· Design of a pen plotter system

· Free body diagrams, Analysis of stresses and strains

· Programming of open source motion controller

Faculty Facilitators:

Dr. R. K. Duvedi

Dr. Vivek Jain (Team Lead)

Dr. Deepak Jain

Dr. Bikramjit Sharma

Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma

Dr. P Kalyan Chakravarthy K

Semester 5: Design and testing of a custom plate type heat exchanger

Description:

The objective of this activity is to expose students to the basics of the heat exchangers, concepts, materials, temperature and flow measurement techniques, etc. Students learn computational fluid dynamics, importance of controllable parameters, overall dimensions, and fabrication of a plate type heat exchanger.

Objectives:

· understand the basics of the heat exchanger design, concepts, heat transfer materials, temperature and flow measurement techniques, etc.

· To induce self learning in the students about CAD design, importance of flow, channel dimensions, sealing mechanism & material, channel fabrication and assembly of heat exchanger.

· To induce the culture of engineering through a design challenge to meet a social needs

Learning Outcome:

· Understand about heat exchangers and their types.

· Use of heat exchanger test rig system.

· Calculate effectiveness of heat exchanger

· Computational fluid dynamics

· .design a heat exchanger for maximum heat transfer

· Manufacturing and testing of heat exchanger.

Faculty Facilitators:

Dr. Vikrant Khullar

Dr. Kundan Lal

Dr. Rohit Singla

Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Dr. Sayan Sadhu (Team Lead)

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Shukla

Dr. Apasso M. Gadade

ROBOTICS AND ARTIFICIAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Semester 1: Introduction to Robotics Software
Description: This hands-on activity provides students with a foundational understanding of robotics software and its application in sensor and actuator integration. Participants will explore various popular robotics software platforms, learning about their capabilities and how they can be used to control and program robotic systems. Through practical exercises, students will gain experience in integrating sensors and actuators, understanding their roles in robotic operations, and developing basic control algorithms.
Objectives: ● Introduce students to key robotics software platforms and their functionalities. ● Foster understanding of sensor and actuator principles and their integration with software. ● Develop basic programming skills for controlling robotic systems. ● Promote problem-solving and critical thinking through hands-on experimentation.
Learning Outcome: ● Familiarity with popular robotics software tools (e.g., ROS, Arduino IDE, Coppeliasim, etc.). ● Knowledge of sensor and actuator types, their functions, and communication protocols. ● Ability to write basic code to control robotic components. ● Understanding of the relationship between software and hardware in robotics. ● Development of problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Faculty facilitators: Dr. Raja Rout (Team Lead) Dr. Anil Kumar Pal Dr. Jyotindra Narayan
Semester 2: Robotic arm
Description: A robotic arm, controlled by using Arduino programming, is an experiential learning activity in industrial automation and robotics. Arduino is an open-source electronics platform that allows students to control the robotic arm through simple and accessible coding easily. This activity provides students with hands-on experience in programming and building a robotic arm with an understanding of industrial automation and robotics technology
The basic outline of the activity is: Design: Students design the robotic arm, considering its size and weight, the number of joints, and the type of actuators needed to control the movement. Building: Students build the robotic arm using plastic, metal, and electronic materials and assemble it according to the design specifications. Programming: Students write code using the Arduino programming language to control the movement of the robotic arm, and the code is uploaded to the Arduino board, which controls the actuators and motors. Testing: Students test the robotic arm and make necessary modifications if required, to accomplish the desired movements and behaviors.
Learning Outcome: Mechanical assembly and programming. Ability to analyse problems, design solutions, and troubleshoot issues. Ability to write basic code to control the robotic arms. Practical experience with robotic arms, actuators, and microcontrollers.
Faculty Facilitators Dr. Ashish Singla Dr. Raja Rout (Team Lead) Dr. Jyotindra Narayan Dr. A.M. Gadade
Semester 3: Application of IoT in Remote monitoring
Description: In this activity, students are introduced to the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its application in remote monitoring through devices like alarms, sensors, and LCD displays connected to computer networks. They explore the security challenges inherent in IoT systems, learning about best practices such as device authentication, and secure data storage. Through hands-on exercises, using different sensors, they implement security measures, perform penetration testing, and respond to simulated security incidents. The activity concludes with group discussions and reflection, where students share their insights and experiences, solidifying their understanding of IoT security in remote monitoring environments.
Objectives: ● Introduce students to IoT concepts and their application in remote monitoring with sensors and devices. ● Familiarize students with IoT security challenges, including device authentication and secure data storage. ● Provide practical experience in implementing IoT security measures and responding to security incidents. ● Enable students to perform penetration testing on IoT systems using various sensors. ● Encourage collaborative learning and reflection through group discussions on IoT security.
Learning Outcome: ● Understand the application of IoT in remote monitoring through sensors and devices. ● Identify key IoT security challenges and best practices, including secure data storage and device authentication. ● Implement security measures and respond to IoT security incidents. ● Perform penetration testing on IoT systems with hands-on experience using sensors. ● Engage in group discussions to reflect on and analyze IoT security strategies.
Faculty Facilitators: Dr. Anil Kumar Pal Dr. Jyotindra Narayan (Team Lead) Dr. A.M. Gadade
Semester 4: Mobile Robot
Course Objective: To empower students with the ability to design, build, and program mobile robots, emphasizing the seamless integration of mechanical systems, electronic components, and advanced algorithms.
Description: Algorithm Development for Mobile Robots: Development of algorithms for obstacle avoidance, implementation of sensor fusion techniques to enhance decision-making, path planning and route optimization, adaptive control strategies based on environmental feedback. Microcontroller Programming and Control Systems: Programming the Arduino Mega for sensor management and control operations, development of control algorithms for motor operation and system coordination, implementing communication protocols between the microcontroller and sensors, debugging and troubleshooting techniques for control systems. Sensor Integration and Obstacle Detection: Selection and integration of sensors for obstacle detection (e.g., ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors), calibration and configuration of sensors for accurate data acquisition, techniques for implementing collision avoidance, usage of MPU6050 for orientation and stabilization in mobile robots. Advanced Electronic Design and Analysis: design and implementation of power distribution systems for mobile robots, integration of motor drivers (e.g., BTS7960, L298N) for precise control of movement, voltage regulation and power management using buck converters, circuit design for ensuring reliability and protection in mobile robots.
Learning Outcome: The students will be able to: 1. Identify and integrate appropriate sensors for obstacle detection and collision avoidance in mobile robotic systems. 2. Develop and implement algorithms for navigation, obstacle avoidance, and system control in mobile robots. 3. Design and construct advanced electronic circuits, including motor drivers and power distribution systems, ensuring reliable operation of mobile robots
Faculty Facilitators Dr. R.K. Duvedi Dr. Ashish Singla (Team Lead) Dr. Raja Rout Dr. Jyotindra Narayan

Semester 5: Self-balancing robot

Description:

This project-based activity challenges students to design, build, and program a self-balancing robot. Participants will delve into the mathematical modeling of a two-wheeled inverted pendulum system, understanding the dynamics involved in maintaining balance. Through simulation, students will experiment with different control algorithms (PID and/or LQR) to determine appropriate gains for stabilizing the robot. The final stage involves implementing the chosen control strategy in Python or C, integrating sensors and actuators to achieve autonomous balancing.

Objectives:

● Develop understanding of the mathematical modeling of a self-balancing robot.

● Gain experience in designing and building a robotic system.

● Explore different control algorithms (PID and/or LQR) for stabilization.

● Utilize simulation tools to tune control parameters effectively.

● Implement control strategies in a programming language (Python or C).

● Foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

Learning Outcome:

● Mastery of the mathematical model of a two-wheeled inverted pendulum.

● Ability to design and construct a robotic system.

● Knowledge of PID and/or LQR control theory and implementation.

● Proficiency in using simulation tools for control system analysis.

● Skill in programming robotic systems using Python or C.

● Development of problem-solving, troubleshooting, and teamwork abilities.

Faculty Facilitators:

Dr. Ashish Singla

Dr. Raja Rout (Team Lead)

Dr. Jyotindra Narayan