About Course
Introduction Design and Practice [2.75Ps] Learning Objectives Why Take This Course Tour and Question Sessions Schedule Teaching Staff Apply
Precision Engineering: Theory, Concepts and Principles [2.75Ts]
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Date: July 7-8, 2008 (Register by June 10th)
Tuition: $1,500 | Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 1.0
Updates
* Course schedule and registration times
Registration Deadline
* We recommend applying by June 10th to reserve your place. Please contact professionalinstitute@mit.edu after that date to see if seats are still available.
One course and lab package:
*Add a day of lab work by taking both this course and Precision Engineering: Design and Practice [2.75Ps]. Combined tuition is $2,500.
Apply for this package now »
Two course package:
Save $500 by taking both [2.75Ts] and Design of Flexures and Compliant Mechanisms: Fundamentals and Practical Application [2.90s].
Combined tuition is $2,500.
Apply for this package now »
Two course and one lab package:
Save $750 by taking all three courses: [2.75Ts], [2.75Ps], and Design of Flexures and Compliant Mechanisms: Fundamentals and Practical Application [2.90s]. Combined tuition is $3,750.
Apply for this package now »
Introduction
Intensive coverage of precision engineering theory, modeling, design and manufacturing practices. Emphasis is placed on understanding principles and how they were applied to current and emerging applications. The fundamentals are reinforced via case studies from diverse fields, including:
- Optics (X-rays and micro-scale)
- Biomedical instruments
- Consumer products
- Nanopositioners
- Machine tools
- Instruments
- MEMS
* New for 2008 - Add on a day of lab work
Precision Engineering: Design and Practice [2.75Ps]
Use concepts, theory and principles taught during 2.75Ts to fabricate, characterize and operate a precision machine (either a nanopositioner or a desktop lathe). Participants are allowed to keep the mechanical components (i.e. no electronics or sensors) of the machines built. Primary focus is on (i) the fabrication, integration and use of structures, flexures, kinematic couplings, and linear/rotary bearings and (ii) the use of precision instruments/metrology to measure performance. Prerequisite: 2.75Ts
More information about the 2.75Ps course course content can be found at: http://pcsl.mit.edu/professional_courses/professional_courses_2008.html
Fundamentals: Core concepts, understandings and tools (70%)
Latest Developments: Recent advances and future trends (15%)
Industry Applications: Linking theory and real-world (15%)
Lecture: Delivery of material in a lecture format (65%)
Labs: Demonstrations, experiments, simulations (35%)
Introductory: Appropriate for a general audience (50%)
Advanced: In-depth explorations at the graduate level (50%)
Learning Objectives
- Describe precision engineering theory, modeling, design and manufacturing practices.
- Examine precision engineering fundamentals, how they were applied to prior art, and how they are pertinent to current and next generation precision applications.
- Assess examples drawn from diverse fields, including nanomanufacturing; micro-photonics and fiber optics; automotive manufacturing; micro and meso-scale equipment; telescopes and satellite systems; machine tools and manufacturing processes.
- Investigate new concepts in precision engineering research and experimental hardware/prototypes.
- Examine emerging technologies in nanomanufacturing.
Why take this course
The successful development of technologies which need micron to nanometer-level precision (e.g. Machine tools, Nano-manufacturing, MEMS, Space-based telescopes, etc..) requires knowledge of Precision Engineering principles, their application and new technology emerging from research efforts. This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of precision engineering. Several tours of MIT Precision Engineering Laboratories will also be held.
Tour and question sessions
These sessions are interspersed between lectures/seminars. The goal is to provide an opportunity for participants to examine new concepts in precision engineering research and experimental hardware/prototypes. These tours enable one-on-one interaction with course instructors and researchers from the following laboratories:
- Cranfield Manufacturing Systems Department
- MIT Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory
- MIT Precision Engineering Research Group
- MIT Space Nanotechnology Laboratory
- MIT Precision Motion Control Laboratory
Course schedule and registration times
2.75Ts runs 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Monday and from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon on Tuesday.
2.75Ps runs 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Tuesday and from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Wednesday.
Registration for 2.75Ts is on Monday morning from 7:15 - 7:45 am.
Registration for 2.75Ps is on Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 - 1:00 pm.
Get more information on these courses at: http://pcsl.mit.edu/professional_courses/professional_courses_2008.html
Teaching staff
This course is taught by a staff of leaders in the fields of precision engineering, precision machine design and precision manufacturing.
Martin Culpepper (Program co-director and contact: culpepper@mit.edu)
Prof. Culpepper is Director of the MIT Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory. Prof. Culpepper's areas of expertise include include:
- Constraint-based synthesis and modeling of compliant mechanisms
- Fabrication and integration compliant mechanisms and elastic systems
- Carbon Nanotube-based compliant mechanisms
Professor Culpepper was honored at the White House in 2005--click here to read the article
Paul Shore (Cranfield program co-director)
Prof. Paul Shore holds the McKeown Chair of Ultra-precision Technologies at Cranfield University. Prof. Shore's areas of expertise are in precision mass production, ultra precision production processes, intelligent precision machine systems and process monitoring methods.
