2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Engineering Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering

Machine elements

Academic unit or major: Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
Instructor(s): Yukio Takeda / Tsune Kobayashi / Mitsuru Endo / Masami Kadonaga / Koichi Kato / Toshio Takayama / Daisuke Matsuura / Jiang Zhu / Yuji Suzuki / Tomohisa Tanaka
Class Format: Lecture/Experiment (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): 3-8 Thu (W2-401(W241), I3-201A，C)
Class: -
Course Code: MEC.H202
Number of credits: 101
Course offered: 2025
Offered quarter: 2Q
Syllabus updated: Apr 14, 2025
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

Students will gain the knowledge of machine elements used in mechanical systems. The types, functions and usages of machine elements will be learned. Basic idea and method of design and selection of machine elements based on mechanical strength are also learned. To this end, lectures will be provided focusing on the following points:
1. Classification of machine elements, function, type, feature and usage of each machine element
2. Basic points of consideration of design and selection of some machine elements basic such as shafts, screw threads, bearings, gears focusing on the mechanical strength
In addition, based on the discussions through disassembly, assembly, and sketches of some machines, composition of the machines including functions and usage of machine elements will be summarized by a written report with illustrations.

Course description and aims

By completing this course, student will attain the following fundamental abilities to:
(1) Have basic knowledge of machine elements
(2) Have basic knowledge for the design and selection of machine elements
(3) Have basic knowledge of composition of machines with relation to the usage of machine elements
(4) Have basic knowledge of appropriate drawing skill of machine elements and composition of mechanical system, and technical communication skill to exchange one’s idea.

Keywords

Machine design, Machine element, Mechanical properties of engineering materials, Technical drawing

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills
This class aims at learning 4, 6 and 7 of learning objective.

Class flow

Each class of this course is held for six consecutive periods (i.e., for five hours). Lectures are provided for the former two periods, the latter four periods are for practices where students work on assembly, disassembly and sketches of real machines.

Students are required to self-study the contents prior to the class using the textbook and/or supplementary materials. Based on these, the contents are lectured in the class about specific design cases abundantly employing explanations provided with graphics and models.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Introduction of this course Classification of machine elements Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage	This course is inrtroduced. Classification of machine elements is learned. Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage ＃1: Assembly of the mechanical component and creation of assembly manual, mini report.
Class 2	Fasteners, shafts, bearings and shaft couplings Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage	Types and features of fasteners, shafts, bearings and shaft couplings are learned. Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage ＃2: Attaching a control board and wire harnesses, manual control experiment using jog controller, mini report.
Class 3	Types and features of power transmission elements Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage	Types and features of power transmission elements such as gears are learned. Assembly practice of a desktop CNC tri-axis stage ＃3: Measurement experiment of positioning accuracy among the workspace and trial to improve it ,CNC motion control experiment using a PC software, mini report.
Class 4	Mechanical properties of engineering materials and basics of strength design and design of shaft Assembly practice of a bicycle	Types of engineering materials and mechanical properties used in mechanical systems are learned. Basic idea and methods used in dimensional design and selection of shafts based on strength criteria are learned. Assembly practice of a bicycle＃1: Disassemble and sketch various fastening methods to learn their specific characteristics.
Class 5	Design of screw threads Assembly practice of a bicycle	Basic idea and methods of design and selection of screw threads are learned. Assembly practice of a bicycle＃2: Disassemble and sketch the rotational axis to learn its construction.
Class 6	Design of bearings and guiding elements Assembly practice of a bicycle	Types and features of bearings and guiding elements are learned. Basic idea and methods of design and selection of bearings and guiding elements are learned. Assembly practice of a bicycle＃3: Disassemble and sketch the mechanisms related to the power transmission to learn their specific characteristics.
Class 7	Design of gears Assembly practice of a bicycle	Basic idea and methods of design and selection of gears are learned. Accomplishment of the two reports regarding the desktop CNC stage and the bicycle.

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course materials.

Textbook(s)

"新訂機械要素設計入門１＆２"（実教出版）：https://www.jikkyo.co.jp/university/rikou/kikai/

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Supplementary handouts may be uploaded to LMS as needed.
Reference Book: JSME Text Series "機械要素設計"

Evaluation methods and criteria

Learning achievement is evaluated based on results of final exam for the lectures (40%) and evaluation of reports for practices (60%). If the final exam cannot be done, homework report will be given.

Related courses

MEC.C201 ： Mechanics of Materials
MEC.H203 ： Machine drawing

Prerequisites

Only the students belonging to the department of Mechanical Engineering are allowed to take this course.