Updates to a Sequence of Fluids Lab Experiments for Mechanical Engineering Technology Students

This paper presents an outline of fluids experiments and lab activities that accompany the introductory fluids course for Mechanical Engineering Technology juniors at Central Washington University (CWU). It outlines and describes the current suite of fluids lab activities, comparing the current suite of lab activities to those outlined in an ASEE conference paper presented in 2001. Some lab activities in that paper have been replaced while others have been updated. For example the Water Flow Measurements Loop equipment has been converted from a large floor mounted system to a portable pallet based system. Also the emphasis of the experiment has evolved from evaluating various flow measurement technologies to determining pump curves at variable RPM settings. Both the previous and current experiments have been found to be useful in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The experiments expose the student to modern instrumentation and the collection and processing of data. Qualitative assessment of current student outcomes is addressed with a student survey. The purpose of this paper is to present these lab activities so that other fluids lab instructors may learn from our experience