Mechanical Engineering

Instructional Laboratories

Fluid Sciences Laboratory (EN134) 

This laboratory contains equipment to conduct various experiments for ENME 3716 - Fluid Mechanics Laboratory. Experiments are set-up for the measurement of fluid properties, determination of critical Reynolds number, fluid meters, pipe friction, open-channel flow, nozzle characteristics, pressure distribution around a circular cylinder, and center of pressure on a submerged plane surface. The laboratory also complements the lecture course ENME 3720 - Fluid Mechanics. A digital PC-based data acquisition system is incorporated into the Subsonic Wind Tunnel setup. A second subsonic wind tunnel demonstration has been constructed that incorporates a Hot-Wire Anemometer for velocity measurements.

Materials Science Laboratory (EN506)

This laboratory is equipped to support ENME 2711 - Structures and Properties of Materials Laboratory. It contains equipment such as polishing wheels, microscopes, creep testers, materials testing equipment, environmental chamber, hardness testing machine, and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation equipment. A metallograph, which was obtained primarily as a research tool, is also used in this lab. The laboratory is adequately equipped to conduct experiments in stress concentration, creep transition, temperature, heat treatment, jominy tests, cooling curves, brazing and soldering, weld defects and corrosion.

Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (EN 409)

This laboratory can be used to support ENME 1781 - Computer-Aided Engineering Graphics. The laboratory features a Thermojet solid object printer that allows users to fabricate a physical model or prototype directly from a 3D CAD file. Reverse engineering capabilities are available through the use of a non-contact 3D laser scanner. The resulting scanned data can then be modified and the design improved by the use of a force-feedback haptic device.

Thermal Sciences Laboratory (EN514)

This laboratory is equipped to support ENME 3711 - Thermal Sciences Laboratory. It contains equipment for performing experiments in conduction, natural convection, radiation, heat exchangers, air conditioning/heat pumps. This laboratory provides students with experience in thermodynamics and heat transfer. Much of the equipment has been designed and constructed in-house. A new PC-based data acquisition and analysis system has been incorporated into an experimental bench that is used to study the effectiveness of cross-flow air to liquid heat exchangers. Digital data acquisition systems are also used in other experimental setups. A natural convection demonstration setup is under construction that will use the PIV system for the measurements of buoyancy driven flow fields.

Mechanics of Materials Laboratory (EN119)

 This laboratory is equipped to supplement the course ENCE 2311 - Mechanics of Materials Laboratory. Major equipment in this laboratory includes a 120K Tinius Olsen Universal Hydraulic Testing Machine, a Tinius Olsen Torsion Tester (10000in-kip), a Scott Beam Tester, a Rockwell Hardness tester, and a Tinius Olsen Wire Tester (1000lb). Experiments conducted as part of ENCE 2311 include: Verification of the UHTM, standard tensile tests of steel and other metal specimens, torsion test of steel and other metal specimens, compression tests of concrete cylinders, direct shear test of steel bar, beam bending test, column buckling tests, metal hardness tests, and wire tensile tests.

Instructional Support Laboratories

Manufacturing Laboratory (EN103)

This laboratory is equipped to supplement the course ENME 2785 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Manufacturing Methods. The equipment in this laboratory includes a CNC 3-axis vertical milling machine and a CNC turning center (lathe). A computer is dedicated to this laboratory, which is connected to each of the CNC machines. This setup enables students to design machine parts on the computer using available CAD/CAM software packages in other laboratories and then transfer the data to the computer to generate the instructions for the CNC units, which machines the parts to the programmed specifications.

Automotive Laboratory (EN104)

This laboratory is equipped to supplement the various design electives as needed. They are also used in special topics courses, primarily for the design and construction of the mini-baja vehicle, the moon buggy, and the various solar energy based competition vehicles.

Computer-Aided-Graphics Laboratory (EN406)

This laboratory is used for classroom instruction for ENME 1781 - Computer-Aided Engineering Graphics. It is well equipped with twenty-four (24) computer stations. Each station has AutoCAD installed to assist students in gaining experience in engineering graphics design. This laboratory is also available to mechanical engineering students who are taking courses in the area of computer-aided engineering.

General (Support) Facilities

Machine Shop (EN130)

The machine shop has various machines such as: a vertical milling machine, an engine lathe, a precision engine lathe, a drill press, two band saws and various other tools for manufacturing parts. Undergraduate students who are involved with student projects such as Mini-Baja have access to the shop.