The Internet has made significant impacts on education. Vast information can now be quite easily obtained from the web compared to earlier years. To make the classroom experience unique, Professor Cao has been consistently integrating recent developments in manufacturing research and development into the classroom, including reviews of the state-of-the-art, new process innovations developed around the world, and inviting external speakers from academia and industry to address the class. The integration of mechanics with manufacturing is also vital in her instruction.
Graduate Courses
ME-415 Mechanics of Manufacturing Processes
Understanding the fundamental mechanics of manufacturing processes is essential for process design, control, monitoring and innovation. This new course focuses on the mechanics of representative processes in the three fundamental processing categories: sheet metal forming in deformation-based processes, cutting in subtractive processes, and laser-engineered net shaping (LENS) in additive processes. The course discusses current theoretical and experimental advances in both fundamental process mechanics and technology advances and future developments.
ME-445 Micromanufaturing
The explosion of micro-scale product development in consumer markets including healthcare, communications, defense, energy and electronics, to name a few, has the potential to significantly improve quality of life and personal well-being. In response to this trend, this course focuses on the key issues associated with product miniaturization and micro-engineering.
Undergraduate Courses
ME-240 Introduction to Mechanical Design & Manufacturing
Strategies and methods of designing, manufacturing, and testing of mechanical products. Engineering drawing and CAD, design methods, material properties, failure modes, selection methodology, fundamental GD&T, and selected manufacturing processes.
ME-340-1 Introduction to Manufacturing Processes
Use of computers to improve productivity and reduce cost in manufacture of discrete parts and assemblies. Manufacturing processes: analysis and evaluation of processes usage of the contemporary manufacturing environment.
ME-340-2 CAD/CAM
Geometric modeling, dimensioning systems, tolerances, design for manufacture, programming of machine tools. Team problem solving in a design and manufacturing technology environment.