Integrating rapid prototyping into the engineering curriculum ‐ a case study

The emerging rapid prototyping technologies are having a dramatic impact on the engineering design process. When properly integrated, these technologies enable aggressive prototyping throughout the design process and reduce the likelihood of expensive design changes late in the product life cycle. Unfortunately, few engineering students get to experience first‐hand the power of rapid prototyping. Reports on an ongoing experimental introduction of physical rapid prototyping technologies into the engineering curriculum at Virginia Tech. The experiments include a senior technical elective approved for graduate credit dedicated to rapid prototyping, a pilot programme within Engineering Fundamentals, and the use of rapid prototyping equipment in Mechanical Engineering Senior Design.