Engineering Education for the Mechanically Inclined

Re Cycling

How’s this for a recipe?

Take one Physics major with a penchant for Motorcycles, add one 1978 Suzuki GS550 (classic), mix in a couple of Solar Panels, batteries, and an electric motor and what do you get? Inspiration.

 Tony Coiro of Purdue University has created one of the most intriguing Electric Motorcycle* conversions I’ve ever seen. Many conversions mask the mechanics and don’t bother to attempt practicality. Tony’s conversion is relatively inexpensive, creative, functional and in a Mad Max kind of way; beautiful.

I first met Tony when he was working on a project team for the Purdue Physics Department and after awhile you get to know when someone is telling you what they're GOING to do, and when they’re just talking. Tony is one of those people who is DOING things, not talking about doing things.

If you meet Tony you will see the confidence of someone who knows that they can achieve what’s in their head. You’ll also find him approachable and very eager to show you his creation in a manner that encourages others to try things that they dream of. He and other members of the Electric Vehicle Club are taking matters into their own hands and learning things they’ll never be offered in a classroom.

If you’d like to know more about Tony and his creation check out a few of these links:

National Youth Science Foundation

Indystar

Trend Hunter

In case you haven’t already assumed so; a mind like this doesn’t just relax. Tony’s recently acquired a more sporting oriented chassis and has some fantastic plans that I won’t share here. I will just say that if you’re driving around Northern Indiana in the next few months and are suddenly passed by a bike that’s making no sound, be sure to wave to Tony. He’s riding the future.

*Yes, that’s Autodesk Inventor in the video

10 signs that you travel too much

10. You know the crew at the airport and talk to them more than your friends.

9. Your idea of an ideal vacation is spending all week in your home.

8. Your family calls you for free vacations from your travel rewards.

7. Your dogs bark at you when you walk thru the door.

6. Security has seen you so much they move you to the Clear line.

5. You have been in every state in the union.

4. You have been in every major country in the world.

3. Even your mother calls your cell first assuming your not at home.

2. You can remember your Delta frequent flyer number but forget your home phone number.

1. The neighborhood watch harrasses you when you try to enter your house.

Snowbound

It was looking great. I was on the plane and the de-icing was successful and we were headed for the runway. I watched as the US Airways plane took off. The first sign of trouble was the second trip to de-ice again. Now 40 minutes later we have deplaned and sit in the Ithaca airport.

The snow is falling so beautiful and we are waiting to hear our fate. I can't help but sign as I look at the forecast for my town.. High 72, Low 50. However, I can still say that the trip was worth it.

I had the pleasure of working with a diverse team at Cornell for the last couple of days. They have a team from every major imaginable.. Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Ergonomic Design, and Business on a team to build a better car. This is a long term project that brings different departments and experience together. There are critical skills that they will all learn such working together and effectively passing the digital knowledge to the next group as team members graduate.

I worked with the core team on Inventor and it always amazes me how quickly they pick up the software. I will publish the pictures as soon as the team gets them to me. What a couple of weeks it has been.

Melissa Thomas Autodesk World Wide Education Mechanical Engineering Solutions Specialist

Charlotte Airport

So I am walking thru the airport quickly going from the C terminal to the E terminal when this man behind me says "learning new software?". Looking down I realized that he must be refering to the courseware book that I had in my hand (and he must have missed the autodesk logo on my jacket!). I replied "not exactly why?". He replies that he works for Autodesk. I had to laugh as I said that I did as well. Turns out that he also lives in florida and works with the AEC group. Small world! But then it shouldn't surprise me that I would meet a fellow Desker in an airport cause realistically that is where we live.... Melissa Thomas Autodesk World Wide Education Manufacturing Solutions Specialist