Professor and Graduate Director
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles
Biography
Rafiq Noorani is a professor and graduate director of mechanical engineering at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, USA. His expertise is in the areas of CAD/CAM, Rapid prototyping, 3D printing and Robotics. He has received over 35 grants totaling over $2 million including six grants from National Science Foundation. He has recently published two books on rapid prototyping and 3D printing. He is a member of ASME, ASEE, and SME. He is also a Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Title: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Robotic Education
Abstract: A robot is a reprogrammable multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools or specialized objects through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks. Since its first introduction in 1921 in a satirical play, the word “robot” has been introduced to us through television, films and science fiction. However, the real power and flexibility lies in the world of flexible and computer-integrated manufacturing. Interest in the use of robot as an interdisciplinary educational tool has increased tremendously over the last few years. The availability of powerful but low-cost and reliable robots has made it possible for high schools, colleges and universities purchase educational and industrial robots and integrate into their curriculum. Of all the devices that are used in educational curriculum, robot is truly an interdisciplinary device which has been developed by scientists and engineers from mechanical, electrical, industrial and system engineering disciplines. The goal of this presentation is to describe and discuss the interdisciplinary approach to robotic instruction that has been developed and implemented at the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Department of Loyola Marymount University. The specific objectives of the presentation are (1) the needs for interdisciplinary approach, (2) the interdisciplinary course contents (3) experiments/research-based learning of robots to provide hands-on experience to the students, (4) Criteria used for the selection of an instructional robot and (5) assessment of student learning using ABET’s criteria and the broader impacts of the course on the curriculum and the community.