Teaching Tribology in Engineering Courses

Abstract

It is becoming more and more important for
engineering graduates to become aware that
reliable performance of equipment depends not
only on the implementation of general design
principles but also on understanding of
fundamentals of friction, wear and lubrication
(Tribology). Many universities in engineering
courses teach just basic principles of engineering
and mechanical design. Some universities
introduced in engineering design subjects elements
of machine condition monitoring and friction and
wear. Queensland University of Technology
(QUT) went further and introduced initially an
elective subject Tribology, and then a
specialisation within BE Mechanical Degree on
Engineering Maintenance with a unique structure
of mechanical design subjects. This structure
includes three subjects: Fundamentals of
mechanical design; Design of mechanical
components and machines; and Design and
maintenance of machinery. In this paper the
analysis is presented of teaching and learning
approaches, benefits of the new structure and
feedback from students. Some of the presented
approaches are as follows: systematic teaching of
Tribology, machine reliability machine condition
monitoring, machine failure analysis (including
Anticipatory Failure DeterminationTM, AFDTM,
method), continuing projects (gearbox project in
the second design unit and lubrication project in
the third design unit). These innovative teaching
approaches received overwhelming students’
support. The feedback from graduates indicates
that they are much better prepared for engineering
practice.