12th IFToMM World Congress, Besançon (France), June18-21, 2007 Adaptation of the subject, “Machine Vibration and Noise” to the European Area of Higher Education Juan Manuel Muñoz-Guijosa Laura Reques Sanz Andrés Díaz Lantada Pilar Lafont Morgado José Luis Muñoz Sanz Julio Muñoz García Javier Echavarri Otero Héctor Lorenzo Yustos Pilar Leal Wiña Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Madrid, Spain Abstract – An integrated plan is set out below for the subject, “Machine Vibration and Noise”, taught in the Machine Engineering Division of Madrid Technical University (U.P.M.), oriented towards attaining the objectives of the European Area of Higher Education (E.A.H.E.) and boosting active learning among students. The use of the equipment available in the “Machine and Mechanisms Laboratory” at the U.P.M .for carrying out practicals is particularly positive and brings students closer to what industry is really like. Also set out here are other experiences of educational innovation oriented towards boosting a real application of concepts learnt in the subject, aimed at facilitating the transition to the E.A.H.E.. Keywords: Vibration Theory, Educational Innovation, Problem Based Learning, Dynamic Systems Modelling with Simulink. I. The importance of Vibration and Noise Theory in Mechanical Engineering With the gradual increase in power per unit of volume in machines, the analysis of vibration problems has become ever more important regarding design aspects in Mechanical Engineering. Highly important problems like machine balancing, torsional vibration in axles and cogwheel systems, vibration in blades and turbine discs, vibration in bridges and railway lines under the action of moving loads, seismic effects on foundations, all of these can only be understood in-depth with a solid knowledge of vibration theory. Only by using vibration theory during the development of a project is it possible to decide the size, the support needed, and the appropriate shape of components and materials in order for a machine’s running conditions to be as far removed as possible from its points of critical function. To this end, appropriate training in vibration provides added value to ____________________________ Email: jmguijosa@etsii.upm.es Email: adiaz@etsii.upm.es Email: plafont@etsii.upm.es Email: jlmunoz@etsii.upm.es Email: jmg@etsii.upm.es Email: jechavarri@etsii.upm.es Email: hlyustos@etsii.upm.es Email: pleal@etsii.upm.es students doing a master’s in mechanical engineering for their future careers in such diverse fields as machine tool design, automotive, aeronautic and railway industries, public works, facilities and structure, the most powerful sectors of Spanish industrial economy. II. Basic concepts and skills to be developed When adapting the subject to the European Area of Higher Education (E.A.H.E.) a survey was conducted among 20 experts in the Mechanical Engineering sector, dedicated to tasks related to vibration and noise in Industry, in order to determine the most important competencies to be induced in the students of a subject such as “Machine Vibration and Noise”. The importance of the different competencies was rated from 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum). The results are set out in Table I. COMPETENCE TO BE DEVELOPED Importance from 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) 1.- Learning to model 4.7 2.- Machine synthesis taking account of vibratory effects 4.6 3.- Design for adjusting parameters such as mass, damping and stiffness 4.6 4.- Sensitivity of response when faced with a variation in parameters 4.6 5.- Use of simulation tools 4.1 6.- Knowledge of instruments and their handling 4.1 7.- Knowledge of different experimental techniques 4 8.- Learning to perform tests 3.9 9.- Relation between vibration and noise 3.9 10.- Justifying deviations between models and tests 3.7 11.- Knowledge of regulations and terminology 3.7 12.- Knowledge of methods to reduce vibration and noise 3.5 13.- Knowledge of the effects of non- linearities 2.7 14.- Importance of physiological effects applied to machine design and inspection 2.6 TABLE I. Results of the survey on rating competencies.