DR 180 - Introduction to Mechanical Concepts

Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the many different mechanical concepts and manufacturing processes used in industry. Mechanical concepts include fasteners (temporary and permanent), welding, springs, piping\fittings, and drive mechanisms. Manufacturing processes include machining, stamping, plastic processes, castings, and 3D printing. Students apply this knowledge of these topic as they pertain to engineering drawings. This course includes industry and in house field trips.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Mechanical Design, A.A.A.S., Mechanical Design Certificate, Pre-Engineering Design Technology, A.A. (Western Michigan University), Pre-Manufacturing Engineering Technology, A.A. (Western Michigan University), Pre-Engineering Management Technology, A.A. (Western Michigan University)

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Identify thread types, interpret thread notes and designations, identify springs, retainers, and machined holes and their application.
Identify different machine tools for creating products.
Identify welding symbols, processes, and joints.
Identify piping, fitting, and valves and interpret their symbols.
Identify and explain the functions of gear drive, belt and pulley systems.
Explain how metal is formed in a die, casting, forging and stamping process.
Understand plastic forming methods.
Understand additive manufacturing (3D printing).
Identify the best solution to a problem or issue.
Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.

Course Outline:
I. Fasteners

A. Threaded and Non-threaded

B. Thread Forms

II. Welding Principles

A. Welding Processes and Application

B. Welding Joints

C. Weld Symbols and Terms

III. Piping Principles

A. Piping Application

B. Piping Terms

C. Pipe Fittings

D. Valves

E. Piping Symbols

IV. Mechanical Drive Systems

A. Gears

B. Belts and Pulleys

C. Others

V. Metal Forming Principles

A. Casting

B. Forging

C. Stamping

D. Jigs and Fixtures

E. Machined Terms and Holes

F. Modern Manufacturing: Traditional, Non-traditional, Automation and Integration

VI. Plastic Forming Principles

A. Molds

B. Methods

C. 3D Printing

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 40-60%

Demonstration: 20-30%

Presentations: 10-20%

Field Trips: 10-20%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: ARW 100 (IRW97/IRW98), IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 4
People Soft Course ID Number: 102930
Course CIP Code: 15.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
General Room Request: Lab with materials and computers

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of STEM
Department: Architectural and Mechanical Design
Discipline: DR
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The instructor must know Mechanical Drafting thoroughly. He or she must have good interpersonal teaching skills.

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250224T18:42:16
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030