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ME 850AF — Advanced Laser Applications in

Manufacturing
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Wichita State University
Fall 2016 Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: Rajeev Nair, PhD, Asst. Professor

Department: Mechanical Engineering
Office Location: Engineering Building 101D
Telephone: (316) 978-6316
Email: [email protected]
Preferred Method of Contact: Email
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm or by appt.
Classroom, Days/Time: Neff Hall 210/ Tuesday and Thursday: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Prerequisites: ME 250, ME 251 and Phys 314; or graduate status
Teaching Assistant: TBA
TA Contact Info: TBA

How to use this syllabus

This syllabus provides you with information specific to this course, and it also provides information
about important university policies. This document should be viewed as a course overview; it is
not a contract and is subject to change as the semester evolves. If any changes are made, I will
email you.

Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for knowing and following the Student Code of Conduct
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch8_05.htm and the Student Academic Honesty policy
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_17.htm.

Course Description
Advanced Laser Applications in Manufacturing (3). This experimental course looks into laser
technology which is defined as the methods, processes or products that make use of the spectrum
of laser light, and any systems whose function is to study, measure, transform or transmit the light.
Engineers, scientists and technicians are being called on to determine how the laser beams can be
employed to assist in their operations so as to produce the most cost effective products and
services. A good working knowledge of lasers is required to better understand the use of it for
specific applications. Laser technology creates new opportunities and will have pervasive
economic effects and substantial employment implications. Additional applications include, heat
treatment, laser scanning, medical applications including surgery, engraving, photolithography,
peening, cladding, engraving and bonding. Micro and nano-level materials processing will be
investigated. An advanced project identifying the most cutting edge technologies in ‘laser medium’
materials and advanced applications will be investigated. Prerequisites - ME 250, ME 251 & Phys
314; or Graduate Status.

Prof. Rajeev Nair 1

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Definition of a Credit Hour

Example for 3 credit hour class: Success in this 3 credit hour course is based on the expectation
that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of 45 hours over the length of the
course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction and
preparation/studying or course related activities for a total of 135 hours.

Go to:
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=academicaffairs&p=/definitionandassignmentofcredithours/ for
the policy and examples for different types of courses and credit hour offerings.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Learn the principles and a fundamental understanding of the lasers and the physics in various laser-
based manufacturing and materials processing techniques.

Understand the basics of laser physics, laser optics, and laser-materials interaction.

Study and be exposed to different analytical and numerical models that capture the physics in
material processing techniques.

Explore the possibilities of using laser -based techniques in their own research areas.

Understand the phenomena of heat transfer, fluid/solid mechanics, and phase/microstructure

change in typical laser-based manufacturing and materials processing techniques.

Understand the basic analytical and numerical methods to investigate the heat transfer, fluid/solid
mechanics, and phase/microstructure changes in various manufacturing and materials processing
techniques and work on an advanced project to learn, explore and identify the latest in laser
science.

Required Textbook
• None

Other Recommended Readings

• Laser Material Processing by William Steen and Jyotirmoy Mazumder, 4’th edition,
Springer, ISBN – 978-1-84996-061-8
• Laser Assisted Fabrication of Materials by Jyotsna Dutta Majumdar, Indranil Manna,
Springer, ISBN – 978-3-642-28358-1
• Laser Applications in Manufacturing by Molian, P.A., Iowa State University Book Store,
ISBN – 978-0-999-00486-9
• Lasers, Siegman by University Science Books, ISBN – 978-0-935702-11-8

Class Protocol
1. Students are expected to abide by WSU's policy on academic honesty
2. Exam is a closed books/notes type unless otherwise stated.

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3. No makeup exams will be allowed except under special circumstances (see assignment
policy below).
4. All students are expected to attend all sessions of this course. Absence will not excuse
students from required assignments. Classroom discussion is an integral part of this course
and is essential to the successful completion of this course.
5. Do not attempt to sign for someone else on the attendance sheet. This is a violation of
WSU’s student code of conduct and may lead to the student’s suspension or dismissal
from the university.

Important Note:

The WSU’s student code of conduct applies to every aspect of this course. It is highly
recommended to read the student academic honesty policies by using the following links:
 http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch8_05.html
 http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/handbook/chapter%207%20--%205-10-05l.html

Ethical Use of Engineering Information:

For any submitted homework assignment or project report you must make sure that the information
taken from a source is well-documented and referenced. Here is a link to the video series on ethical
use of information. The URL is:

http://library.wichita.edu/aveng/Ethics_vid/Ethics.htm

The use of the Safe Assignment Analysis tool on the WSU blackboard is highly recommended.

Finding help: If you come across any difficulty with regards to the course material or an
assignment, please do not hesitate to seek assistance from me either during or outside of class.
Also, feel free to email me with regards to any questions pertaining to this course.

Group Project:
The group project should be a topic on cutting edge laser technology used in manufacturing or
materials synthesis/processing application. Following are some guidelines that you need to follow:

1. You need to submit a formal project proposal (see the due date). This carries 2% of your
grade. For the project proposal, you need to write one page about your project. For
example, what kind of modern laser technology is being considered, the cutting edge nature
of the technology, improvements in the technology like the lasing medium, optics,
materials used, accessories used towards materials processing etc. Finally, you MUST add
the references that you have referred to.
3. Students should submit hard and soft copies (CD, DVD or other electronic devices) of the
final project including reports, analytical models used for heat transfer or fluid flow
analysis and any FEM analysis. A rubric for the report will be posted.
4. The project should be presented in a PowerPoint presentation during the last week.

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Individual Project:

The individual project is about reviewing a recent journal paper (year 2010 and later) on any laser
process or technique that is in the field of materials synthesis/processing application. Following
are some guidelines that you need to follow:

1. You need to submit a formal project proposal (see the due date). Get my approval before
starting to work on the project.
3. Students should submit hard and soft copies (CD, DVD or other electronic devices) of the
final project report. A rubric for the report will be posted.

Incomplete Grade: Like other grades, incomplete grade is given at the discretion of the course
instructor. I will give an incomplete grade only if you have been making satisfactory progress in
a course except for work which could not be completed due to circumstances beyond your control
(such as, illness, serious accident, death in family, natural disaster, etc.). You will be asked to
produce evidence. If incomplete works due to these extraordinary events take place before the
last date to withdraw, then you should withdraw from the course. Incomplete for a course must be
removed by the end of the next semester or it will change to F.

Grading Scale
WSU uses a +/- grading scale for final grades and to calculate grade point averages. In this class,
grades are assigned according to the following chart. (Note: the chart on the next page is a sample
that may be used). (Other classes might assign grades differently: Be sure to understand the
different grading scales in all of your classes.)

Points/percentages, Lette Grad Interpretation

as instructor chooses r e
=> 89.9% grad
A Point
4.00 The A range denotes excellent
e s performance.
=> 86.9% A- 3.70
=> 83.9% B+ 3.30
=> 79.9% B 3.00 The B range denotes good
performance.
=> 76.9% B- 2.70
=> 73.9% C+ 2.30
=> 69.9% C 2.00 The C range denotes satisfactory
performance.
=> 66.9% C- 1.70
=> 63.9% D+ 1.30
=> 61.9% D 1.00 The D range denotes
unsatisfactory
performance.
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=> 58.9% D- 0.70

< 58.9% F 0.00 F denotes failing performance.

Note:
• Use Blackboard through www.wichita.edu as much as possible.

Assignments

Assignment due dates are specified in the ‘Course Schedule’ section at the end of this syllabus.

Item % each Total Items Total %

Homework 2 5 10
Exam 1 13.33 1 13.33
Exam 2 13.33 1 13.33
Exam 3 13.33 1 13.33
Attendance As applicable 16 weeks 5
Group Project 2 1 2
Proposal
Group Project Peer 3 1 3
Review
Group Project 5 1 5
Presentations
Group Project Report 15 1 15
Individual Term 20 1 20
Project Report

Extra Credit
There is no extra credit for this course.

Late Assignments
No late assignment will be accepted. It is impossible to fairly evaluate students/groups when
assignments are completed at various times, therefore I cannot accept assignments even after one
day late unless there are extenuating circumstances like immediate death in your family (funeral
home letter or similar), medical reasons (with proper physicians certificate) or university approved
function participation (with supervisor’s email or letter). Each day late is 10% reduction from full
score and this includes Saturdays and Sundays. Assignments won’t be accepted submitted by a
student/group en masse at the end of the semester for any reason including the student failing the
class.

Missed Assignments and Exams

I won’t accept missed assignments and allow you to take a missed exam, unless there are
extenuating circumstances like immediate death in your family (funeral home letter or similar),
medical reasons (with proper physicians certificate) or university approved function participation
(with supervisor’s email or letter). Each day late is 10% reduction from full score and this includes

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Saturdays and Sundays. Assignments won’t be accepted submitted by a student/group en masse at

the end of the semester for any reason including the student failing the class.

Important Academic Dates

For Spring semester 2017, classes begin, January 17’th, 2017, and end May 5’Th, 2017. The last
date to drop a class and receive a W (withdrawn) instead of F (failed) is March 31’st, 2017. There
are no classes between March 20’th and March 26’th (Spring Break). The final project
presentations are on May 2’nd and 4’Th, 2017. There are no final exams for this class.

Disabilities
If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, or learning disability that may impact on your ability
to carry out assigned course work, I encourage you to contact the Office of Disability Services
(DS).

The office is located in Grace Wilkie Annex, room 203, (316) 978-3309 (voice/tty) (316-854-3032
videophone). DS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what academic
accommodations are necessary and appropriate for you. All information and documentation of your
disability is confidential and will not be released by DS without your written permission.

Counseling & Testing

The WSU Counseling & Testing Center provides professional counseling services to students,
faculty and staff; administers tests and offers test preparation workshops; and presents programs
on topics promoting personal and professional growth. Services are low cost and confidential. They
are located in room 320 of Grace Wilkie Hall, and their phone number is (316) 978-3440. The
Counseling & Testing Center is open on all days that the University is officially open. If you have
a mental health emergency during the times that the Counseling & Testing Center is not open,
please call COMCARE Crisis Services at (316) 660-7500.

Diversity and Inclusive

Wichita State University is committed to being an inclusive campus that reflects the evolving
diversity of society. To further this goal, WSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities
on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information or
disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding
nondiscrimination policies: Executive Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity,
Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0138; telephone (316) 978-3186.

Intellectual Property
Wichita State University students are subject to Board of Regents and University policies (see
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch9_10.htm) regarding intellectual property rights. Any questions
regarding these rights and any disputes that arise under these policies will be resolved by the
President of the University, or the President’s designee, and such decision will constitute the final
decision.

Shocker Alert System

Get the emergency information you need instantly and effortlessly! With the Shocker Alert System,
we will contact you by email the moment there is an emergency or weather alert that affects the
campus. Sign up at www.wichita.edu/alert.
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Student Health Services

WSU’s Student Health clinic is located in 209 Ahlberg Hall. Hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm (8:00
am to 5:00 pm on Fridays), though the clinic may be closed occasionally on Wednesdays from
noon to 1:30pm. The telephone number is (316) 978-3620. In addition to outpatient and preventive
care (including immunizations, a prescription service, and testing/counseling for sexually
transmitted infections), Student Health can handle minor injuries. All services are confidential.
For more information see www.wichita.edu/studenthealth.

Title IX
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in any
educational institution that receives federal funding. Wichita State University does not tolerate sex
discrimination of any kind including: sexual misconduct; sexual harassment; relationship/sexual
violence and stalking. These incidents may interfere with or limit an individual’s ability to benefit
from or participate in the University’s educational programs or activities. Students are asked to
immediately report incidents to the University Police Department, (316) 978- 3450 or the Title IX
Coordinator (316) 978-5177. Students may also report incidents to an instructor, faculty or staff
member, who are required by law to notify the Title IX Coordinator. If a student wishes to keep
the information confidential, the student may speak with staff members of the Counseling and
Testing Center (316) 978-3440 or Student Health Services (316)978-3620. For more information
about Title IX, go to: http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/home/?u=titleixf

The Heskett Center and Campus Recreation

Whether you are wanting to be active on campus, relieve the stress from classes or take care of
your body, Wichita State Campus Recreation is the place for you. Campus Recreation, located
inside the Heskett Center, contributes to the health, education, and development of Wichita State
University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members by offering quality programs
and services. With many programs and facilities which are free to all students and members,
Campus Recreation offers its members limitless opportunities. For more information about our
services see www.wichita.edu/heskett.

Video and Audio Recording

Video and audio recording of lectures and review sessions without the consent of the instructor is
prohibited. Unless explicit permission is obtained from the instructor, recordings of lectures may
not be modified and must not be transferred or transmitted to any other person, whether or not that
individual is enrolled in the course.

University Behavioral Intervention Team (UBIT)

Wichita State University is committed to the safety and success of and cares about all members of
the University community. If you or someone you know needs support, is distressed, or exhibits
concerning behavior that is interfering with their own or others’ academic or personal success or
the safety of members of our community, resources and assistance are available. As your Faculty,
I may UBIT to seek support for you. If you or another member of our campus community is in
need of help, please submit a concern at www.wichita.edu/ubit or call any UBIT member listed on
that webpage. In case of emergency, please call the University Police Department at (316) 978-
3450 or 911.

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Tentative Schedule for 15 week class

WEEK TOPIC

#1 Syllabus and class introduction

Introduction – Laser Technology, Types of Lasers, Applications of

#2
Lasers

Principles of Lasers, Physics of Laser Light, Lasers and Temporal

#3
Behavior Homework#1

Beam Delivery Systems, Basic Laser Optics, Group Project Proposal

#4
Submission
Laser Material Interactions – Laser cutting, drilling and Piercing,
#5
Homework#2

#6 Exam 1, Laser Material Interactions - Welding

Theory, Mathematical Modeling and Simulation, Individual Project

#7
Proposal Submission

#8 Laser Material Interactions – Surface Treatment, Homework#3

#9 Spring Break

# 10 Laser Material Interactions – Rapid Prototyping

Laser Material Interactions – Micro and Nano machining,

# 11
Homework#4
# 12 Laser Material Interactions – Laser bending/forming, Exam 2

# 13 Laser Material Interactions – Laser Cleaning

# 14 Laser Material Interactions – Biomedical Applications, Homework#5

# 15 Exam 3, Individual Project Submission, Laser Safety and OSHA

Group project report submission and Final Presentations, Group

# 16
Project Peer Review due

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