The design and implementation of 4th axis CNC machining in an undergraduate engineering curriculum.

The objective of this project is to introduce 4th axis machining into the undergraduate-manufacturing curriculum for use in the undergraduate course at WPI entitled Computer Aided Manufacturing (ME3820). The intent is to ultimately include an advanced CNC machining laboratory exercise that includes complex 4th axis machining. The initial step in designing the laboratory exercise is choosing a part and taking it from CAD design, using Pro/Engineer, to machine code, generated by Pro/Manufacturing, to finished part. This lab exercise would involve the use of the milling machines in WPI\u27s Haas Technical Education Center and would utilize Pro/Engineer in a CAD/CAM environment. The goal of this project is to introduce a part that goes through these steps to form a basis for a lab exercise that promotes a greater understanding of full 4th axis CNC machining. This project involves the issues associated with taking a fully 4th axis machined turbine blade from CAD design, to machine code, to final product