Final Thoughts...

ME 250 was one of my favorite classes and, at the same time, the most difficult class I have taken while at the University of Michigan. Throughout the semester I learned a lot about manufacturing and design as well as furthering my teamwork and networking skills. I liked the class because it gave me my first opportunity into design and manufacture of a machine. Most people have an idea of a good design, but few rarely ever get a chance to create it. I liked the fact that we not only were pushed to come up with a solution to a problem but to also build it and see the problems that oftentimes occur when theory is transformed into reality. Problems that arose included: making designs that were too complicated, poor time management, and difficulty sticking to deadlines. While I did in fact learn a lot this semester, there were also some things that I did not find as helpful. I did not find the lectures to be very helpful or useful in furthering my knowledge. I understand that technical information needs to be taught, but it is hard to explain how to use a mill or how to use a nut and screw—these things need to be done hands-on and used multiple times to gain a true understanding. I felt like too much time was also wasted on individual work and not enough time was utilized to work as a group. I see how individual design is important, but I think collaboration is more important to further ideas that one individual might have. Along the lines of the lectures, I feel as though it is difficult to explain design and the creative process. These are things that should be explored by the individual, since design is not necessarily something that is so black and white. I understand the assigned milestones and individual assignments were designed to keep the individual and group on track; however, I feel like the class would have benefitted both myself and my group as a whole even more if we had been allotted more time to work on our design. We then would have been able to see the theoretical ideas that had once seemed “plausible” fail and figure out simpler or more elegant solutions to deal with those problems. I feel like the quality of teaching and shop training was very good and helpful. However, I feel like the “learning” did not begin until the last 2 or 3 weeks of class when I was actually in the machine shop playing with tools and seeing what worked in reality and what only worked in theory. I think that is an important idea to discuss and discover, and one that I think was not covered well enough. An idea always seems good on paper, but bringing the idea to reality and actually creating it can be quite challenging and maybe even impossible. One of the things that I found the most beneficial and simultaneously the most detrimental to the outcome of the class, for me, was having a team. I like having a group of people to bounce ideas off and receiving feedback, but that only works when everyone is involved and dedicated. I was lucky to have a pretty dedicated group, but occasions did arise when people were absent and “busy.” However, I learned an important principle this semester that I have rarely said or actually done before: if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. With that I thank you for a great semester and hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. ☺