In addition to engineering programs in Mechanical and Mechatronics, the MMEM Department houses the Sustainable Manufacturing program. Certain elements from that program have been integrated into the Capstone Design program
Select manufacturing students work with engineering project teams during prototype design and construction. The manufacturing students don’t just “make parts,” but consult on many aspects of the project with a focus on design for manufacture and sustainability. They offer insights into the manufacturability of proposed designs, and even suggest minor design changes that often substantially ease fabrication and significantly reduce cost without altering the end function of the design.
Capstone Design students see firsthand the importance of design for manufacturability and sustainability, and the associated benefits it affords. They also gain an appreciation and respect for the manufacturing profession, whom they will likely be working side by side with in industry. More information about integration of the programs can be found in the Proceedings of the 2010 Capstone Design Conference (PDF) held in Boulder, Colorado.
