Mechanical Design I
Department of Mechanical Engineering
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
Prof. Karim Abdel-Malek

OVERALL OBJECTIVE
The overall educational objective of the design project is to learn, through direct experience, good
practice in engineering design. Students will be exposed to the whole range of professional
competences which are part of a design engineer work. A fair degree of freedom is allowed to induce
creativity. An industrial context of the project is provided.

The project will provide the student with the opportunity for a background investigation and analysis of relevant sciences and technologies, detailed design
work and component selection, manufacture and assembly, and finally practical evaluation and communication of the outcome. Professional communication
and engineering ethics are highly emphasized. The project is not exclusively analytical, nor it is an excuse for extended workshop practice: it is directed
towards providing a real-life practical experience to mechanical engineering students.


SYNOPSIS
A company comprising five employees is to design, build, and test an amphibious vehicle (AV). An AV is a vehicle that can float on the surface of water and yet be able to be driven on a relatively well-paved terrain. The raft is to float in the Mediterranean Sea subject to its natural elements. A ramp from offshore to the AUB beach will be built for this purpose. The customer has ordered one AV made of wood, without any specifications made regarding the type of wood. All and any type of fasteners can be used in the assembly. The company representative (namely the instructor and/or his designees) is to meet regularly with the customer in order to sustain a good relationship and report progress. Two progress reports including blue prints are requested during the development.


CUSTOMER

Each company has one customer: the instructor. The customer has requested that all companies involved in the design to enter their AV into a race to be
conducted at the AUB beach. The race will be attended by jurors who will judge the quality of the design.


SPONSORSHIPS
In order to provide the most professional presentation of the AV's, sponsorships should be sought from third parties. As it is expected that the event be
covered by local media agencies, it is advisable to approach potential sponsors seeking, support in return for advertising. These funds can only be used
towards the purchase of wood and other necessary materials.


CONSTRAINTS
A maximum engine size of 250 cc's is allowed. The engines may be a combination of smaller engines or one engine of the specified size. A least two passengers must fit comfortably in the vehicle. A maximum dimension of 2.5 meters in any direction is allowed. External help can be sought regarding the design and analysis, but none is allowed in the assembly of manufacture of the AV. Only company employees are allowed to manufacture the AV

Expensive items are NOT RECOMMENDED. Fasteners can readily be found from old
cabinets, tables, closets...etc. A group testing his vehicle

Each AV should identify itself by its number posted on each side of the AV by a 30 x 30 cm
poster. Company names, logos...etc. are also recommended to be displayed on the AV. The number, however,
should always be displayed for identification purposes. AV,s should be on the water of the AUB beach at the start line on June 12, 1998 at 4:00 p.m. ready for the race. A full report including all analysis, design, and blue prints is due on June ???, 1998 at 12:00 noon.


MANAGEMENT
The group dynamics among company employees is an important characteristic to observe. The comapny operates under a flat management structure
where no supervisors are available but all employees are project engineers. All engineers are expected to carry an equal share of work.


PROPRIETARY DESIGNS

Designs, sketches, and detailed drawings created by one company are owned by that company. Transferring of proprietary information from one company to another is highly illegal subject to severe actions.


EVALUATING JURY
Jury members from all walks of life will be invited to the main event. Representatives from six other Lebanese Universities have been invited. The criteria for evaluation will include the following. The detailed criteria will be handed to jurors on the day of the event. A detailed evaluation criteria sheet will be issued at a later date.
1.Creativity
2.Strength of the AV
3.Stability
4.Agility
5.Speed
6.Presentation
7.Speed


EVALUATION
The project is considered as 40% of the course. A point system will be established in order to closely monitor the constraints set by the customer. Any
violations of the rules or constraints set in this document will penalised accordingly.

Good luck to all! !

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1.These are some of the practices that are recommended for achieving an appropriate, efficient, and economical design
Start your thoughts with a pen and pencil and attempt at making sketches of your complete vision of the boat. These sketches should be
orderly and neat. If you are to communicate with another engineer such as your boss or your colleague, it is important that your drawings are
made consistent with the engineering graphics rules that your learned. Provide neat sketches
After a few weeks of sketching, trial and error, it is important that the team meets and decides upon a creative and realistic design. The
choice should be made by the majority. Always go with the simple design and as less parts as possible.
Another round of sketching and more detailed thinking of the design should be made followed by a consensus approval by the team members.
Upon complete approval, detailed design should start. Selection of engine location, propeller, gear box, steering, suspension (if available), and
any other items.
Decide what things you want to buy and what has to be manufactured.
Still no manufacturing has taken place, start detailing each part. Provide blue prints to your customer.
Start Manufacturing and assembly
2.The design contest will officially start at the beginning of flue Spring semester Ellis Fall semester is only to prepare for the contest but NO
MECHANICAL WORK should be performed Planning and feasability studies are encouraged.
Selection of components is also advised
3.It is important at this time to select a location for your team This location should be accessible to some shop or tools. The manufacturing and
assembly of the AV will be performed at this location. If you cannot find a shop, you will be assigned a very small area in Wing C on Campus.
4.Those people that are to bring equipment into AUB (e g., tools, equipment, sound system, freezer, electric equipment ..etc ) should provide me with
the following: ( I ) A list of the equipment (by name is enough) (2) The driver of the car, and (3) the type and make of the car. A special pass is
needed for each time an entry to the campus is required.
5.The following committees will be staffed from flee project engineers as the semester begins