Guide to the Stanford University, Engineering Case Program, Case Files
SC0269
Daniel Hartwig
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2000
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Stanford University, Engineering Case Program, case files
creator:
Fuchs, H. O. (Henry Otten)
creator:
Arnold, John E., 1913-1963
Identifier/Call Number: SC0269
Physical Description:
3.5 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1948-1972
Scope and Content
The Engineering Case Program, which began at Stanford University in 1964, provided written
accounts of engineering problems to be used in the training of engineers. This collection
consists of the master files from 114 cases where the author was a Stanford faculty or staff
member or the event described happened in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to the
case description, some files include correspondence, memoranda, diagrams, and
photographs.
Following the container listing are abstracts for most of the cases included in this
collection.
Biography
Henry O. Fuchs was professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford University, 1964-1973,
and director of the Engineering Case Program.
Preferred Citation:
Stanford University, Engineering Case Program, Case Files (SC0269). Department of Special
Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Provenance
Gift of Henry O. Fuchs, 1981.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the
documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.
Access Restrictions
None.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Engineering -- Case studies.
Photoprints.
Engineering -- Study and teaching.
Stanford University. Engineering Case
Program
Fuchs, H. O. (Henry Otten)
Arnold, John E., 1913-1963
Variable Stability System of the X-14A VTOL Aircraft,
J. Hill, G. Kardos, A. Winn,
ECL 162
1970
Physical Description: Total 28 pages: 7 pages text
(Parts A&B); 21 pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
The first part of this case describes the original control system and reasons for
adding a variable-stability auxiliary system to the Bell X-14 experimental aircraft.
By means of excerpts from the original project notebook, the student is provided with
the technical requirements of the system. The second part includes the project
notebook calculations for the first part and poses the additional problems of writing
a preliminary progress report, designing a simulator for the control system, and
drawing a block diagram of the control system. A brief instructor's note is
available.
Development of a Stainless Steel Trashrack, R.
J. Shuman,
ECL 161
1970
Physical Description: Total 29 pages: 9 pages text; 20
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Few people have seen the second largest stainless steel structure in the United
States-the trashrack system for the Oroville Dam powerplant. The case details how
stainless steel was substituted for mild steel. The substitution had to be justified
on a superior function and lower cost basis, leading to a sophisticated analysis of a
rather prosaic component. The case is interesting both as a technical achievement and
as an example of the way engineering innovations are accomplished.
To Find a Bullet, Geza Kardos,
ECL 174
1971
Physical Description: Total 31 pages: 10 pages text, 21
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
This case tells of an unusual application of the engineering method, the location of
a missing bullet in a police case. The construction of the case is to show and to lead
the student through the solution as carried out by Jorgen Vindum, the principal
investigator. The case is divided into three parts: each section ends at a critical
decision point and students can be asked to discuss the course of action to be
followed. The case involves a mixture of technology, computer application, intuition,
experimentation, logical thinking and plain luck. Instructor's Note is available.
Parts A, B, C.
Negligence, Drew V. Nelson,
ECL 178
1971
Physical Description: Total 65 pages: 57 pages text, 8
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A case study concerning a products liability lawsuit which arose out of an industrial
accident in which Plaintiff was severely injured while operating a large mechanical
press. Emphasis is on engineering aspects of the case, as extracted from depositions
of expert witnesses. Important elements of Plaintiff's trial brief, legal arguments,
etc. are also presented. Parts A, B, C, D.
A Four Barrel Step-and-Repeat Camera, Geza
Kardos,
ECL 181
1971
Physical Description: Total 32 pages
Scope and Contents note
Paul Piper was hired by the Friden Research Center to design, develop and produce a
microphotographic camera for the production of final stage integrated circuit masks.
Piper's problems are described from the management decision to make instead of to buy
the camera through the design to the testing and modifications of the unit. An
Instructor's Note is available.
The Design of the Bart-AFC Barrier Drive System at IBM,
R. Piziali,
ECL 185
1972
Physical Description: Total 53 pages: 35 pages text, 18
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
This case describes in part the design effort and decision process associated with
the development of an actuating system at IBM, San Jose. The case starts when delivery
is due in 16 months and only an unsatisfactory prototype exists. Parts A, B, C.
The Pickup-Head Link Failure, R.
Piziali,
ECL 186
1972
Physical Description: Total 27 pages: 12 pages text, 15
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
The IBM 2321 is a vast storage device which reads and writes data on a magnetic
strip. These strips are stored in cells and mechanically taken from the cells for
read-write operations and then returned. With the 2321 in full production and in the
field, the pickup-head link began to fail. After a metallurgical fix of the link
failed, stresses due to three independent loads were re-examined.
Later the link was redesigned, but the pin on the end of the link began to fail.
Further redesign involved metallurgical and structural analysis. Parts A, B.
Value Engineering Applied to an IBM Leveling Screw,
R. Piziali,
ECL 187
1972
Physical Description: Total 19 pages: 9 pages text, 10
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
This case provides a brief look at the methodology of Value Engineering. A leveling
screw for the IBM 1311 disk storage drive was assigned to students in an IBM Value
Engineering Seminar. The students applied their newly learned techniques to redesign
the leveling screw to reduce cost while maintaining function. Their solution was so
successful that it was put into production on many IBM systems resulting in over one
million dollars in savings.
The Stun-Gun, A. P. Shack and G.
Kardos,
ECL 188
1972
Physical Description: Total 29 pages: 12 pages text, 17
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Bob Mawhinney recalls the invention and development of a riot-control weapon which
shoots a non-lethal spin stabilized bean bag. Part A gives the background feasibility
calculations. Part B relates development of a cartridge suitable for military use.
Part C shows how a complete system suitable for civilian use was developed.
Laser Hardware, Fred Moreno,
ECL 189
1972
Physical Description: Total 56 pages: 32 pages text, 24
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Fred Moreno, mechanical engineer in Sylvania's Electronic Systems group is assigned
to work with the Electro-Optics Organization on devices for satellite laser
communication. Work on temperature control and on mirror alignment for the breadboard
demonstration model are described in Part A. Part B discusses thermal contact
resistance and choice of materials for space vacuum. Part C relates work on the later
functional test model, where weight, space, and demonstrated reliability become
additional constraints. Part D describes three technical problems: energy for warm-up,
vibration resonance, thermal conductance and modulator operating temperature. Part E
shows Fred's solutions of these technical problems.
The Go-Matic Accessory for Motorcycles, Prem
Garg,
ECL 113
1969
Physical Description: Total 23 pages: 10 pages text, 13
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Go-Matic is a gear shift mechanism which, when installed in place of the final drive
sprocket on a lightweight motorcycle, enables the rider to select either of two speed
ranges (high, street range or low, trail range) by moving a lever. This case traces
the development and marketing history of the device from the point of view of Mr. Neal
Williams, President of the Go-Power Corporation, which manufactured it.
Design of a Hand Operated Film Drive Mechanism,
John Sondeno,
ECL 111
1969
Physical Description: Total 19 pages: 9 pages text, 10
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
This is the story of a mechanical design undertaken by the R. A. Morgan Optical
Engineering Company: a microfilm reader-printer was to be modified so that it could
accept 105 mm. roll film as well as 105 mm. cut sheets. The task, according to Mr.
Morgan, was to design some sort of transmission to manually turn drive shafts for the
film spools in a manner that would be convenient to the operator and aeshetically
attractive.
Development of a Circular Strike Plate at Schlage Lock
Company,
Richard C. Bourne,
ECL 114
1968
Physical Description: Total 50 pages (Parts A,B,C,D):
21 pages text and 29 pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Most doors are held in a closed position by a system comprised of a retractable latch
bolt located in the door edge and a strike plate fastened to the door frame, the plate
being cut with a hole to receive the latchbolt. In 1963 Mr. Ernest L. Schlage,
Director of Research at the Schlage Lock Company, undertook the design of a new
circular strike plate which could be installed with a single boring operation rather
than the hand chiseling or routing required with the traditional rectangular strikes.
Part A of the case includes background on the components of the Schlage cylindrical
lock and design requirements for the new strike. Part B describes the steps taken
which resulted in the design and introduction of a circular strike meeting these
requirements. Parts C and D deal with the refinement and modicication of Schlage's
original design which led to production of an adjustable circular strike.
Harvey La Branche: Spring Failures in a New Toy Rifle,
Karl H. Vesper,
ECL 120
1968
Physical Description: 26 pages total (parts A and B): 8
text, 18 exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Mattel Incorporated was about to introduce a new toy rifle which used a recording to
produce its cracking sound. Orders for thousands of these rifles had been received and
production tooling was underway. Some handmade samples of the guns had been assembled,
then cocked and fired over 6,000 times without failure. Then some phosphor bronze
clutch springs began to break on the first batch of 100 guns which had been assembled
from production parts. Mr. Harvey LaBrance, Director of Product Development
Engineering, had to decide on a cure for the problem.
Warren Deutsch: Design of a Satellite Controlling
Instrument Panel,
Mitchel Blanton,
ECL 124
1968
Physical Description: Total 31 pages (Parts A and B);
12 text and 19 exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Ground control stations are equipped with instrumentation for sending to a satellite
commands controlling its functions. Technicians must be able to handle large numbers
of such functions (Perhaps 100 for a typical satellite) from a single control panel.
To accomplish this task Philco-Ford engineers had designed a device called POK (Page
Overlay Keyboard) which consisted of an array of buttons plus overlays, or pages,
which could adapt the panel to a variety of functions. Warren Deutsch, head of the
Value Engineering Department at Philco-Ford, felt this system was unnecessarily
cumbersome and set out to improve on it. Part A of the case describes the problem and
Mr. Deutsch's approach to it. Part B deals with refinements of his design.
Plastic Pipe Saddle Design, Prem
Garg,
ECL 126
1969
Physical Description: Total 43 pages: 9 pages text, 34
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Pipe saddles are functionally similar to T-joints. They are used extensively in
piping networks for branching off from the main line and can be mounted on existing
networks without interrupting the flow in the main line. In 1965 there were no saddles
satisfactory for use on plastic pipe which had become increasingly popular for
municipal, irrigation, gas and industrial uses. The case describes the design and
manufacture of a suitable plastic pipe saddle.
Three Years to Design a Door, Drew V.
Nelson,
ECL 127
1969
Physical Description: Total 46 pages (A and B): 10
pages text, 36 pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part A tells how the Schlage Company started to design a service door for the Hilton
Hotel in San Francisco and shows the first two iterations including the patent issued
for this design. Part B shows the final design and the end result of this 3 year
effort on which about 5,000 man hours of engineering time had been spent. Instructor's
Note is available.
Design of a Centrifuge Rotor Cap, P. C.
Garg,
ECL 137
1969
Physical Description: Total 16 pages: 8 pages text, 8
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Mr. Ken Jacobsen, project engineer at the Spinco Division of Beckman Instruments
Inc., had proposed to incorporate new features in an ultracentrifuge. These features
had been developed in a national laboratory. They now had to be improved and refined
for the Spinco production model. Some background on the operation of ultracentrifuges
is given; attention is focused on the detail design of a subsystem and on the
technical difficulties which Mr. Jacobsen had to surmount to achieve a satisfactory
product.
Electron Beam Collimator, M. J. Lum,
ECL 138
1969
Physical Description: Total 11 pages: 8 pages, text, 3
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Research physicists at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center discovered secondary
radiation effects accompanying certain experiments with the electron beam. Because of
these effects, the beam's cross section was difficult to define. The scientists asked
the Research Area Department at SLAC to design a collimator, an adjustable device to
block out the outer portion of the beam allowing only the central beam core to pass
through. Dr. Ed. Seppi, head of the Research Area Department, gave the job to Mr.
Aaron Baumgarten, who told the case writer how he designed the collimator.
A Special Testing Problem at IBM, K. J.
Waldron,
ECL 144
1970
Physical Description: Total 24 pages: 8 pages text, 16
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Chris Jako was asked to design a machine which would detect oil-canning of computer
drum memory reading heads. Oil-canning is caused by small differences in the lengths
of six beryllium copper strips. They are mounted between a fixed base and the moving
head and serve as springs and conductors. This case can be used to practice elastic
stability theory, amplifier circuit design, or electro-mechanical precision
design.
Howard Ameson's Pool-Sweep, P. C.
Garg,
ECL 146
1970
Physical Description: Total 27 pages: 15 pages text, 12
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In 1958 Mr. Howard Arneson, rather fortuitously, came across an idea for a device to
clean swimming pools automatically. To pursue this idea further, he started a tiny
company with $8,000 in 1960. By 1965 the device was in production and in 1969 his
company had sales exceeding six million dollars. Mr. Arneson now heads the company he
sold to Castle and Cooke Inc. for 9 million dollars in 1969. The case tells Mr.
Arneson's story.
Design of a Ball Transfer Unit for Air Cargo, R.
K. Ganeriwal,
ECL 149
1970
Physical Description: Total 11 pages (Parts A,B,C): 4
pages text, 7 pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Westscope was one of the companies which was requested to quote on a ball transfer
unit for the cargo system on the Boeing 747. This case describes the development of a
suitable unit at Westscope. The case is written in three parts, each part describing a
different phase of the design development.
Drop Master, R. Ganeriwal.
ECL 150
1970
Physical Description: Total 23 pages (Part A and B): 11
pages text, 12 pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Drop Master is a device used for monitoring the rate of fluid administered
intravenously. The device was invented and developed at Smith Kline Instruments Inc.
After the Drop Master was put on the market, a number of service calls from the
customers indicated that the device was too sensitive to temporary flow rate changes.
This case describes how the difficulty was overcome.
Underwater Pipeline, Dean C. Ing,
ECL 151
1970
Physical Description: Total 20 pages: (Parts A,B,C): 17
pages text, 3 pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Robert Kinner, a structural analyst, had been loaned to the undersea pipeline project
to check the design of pipe bundles which drop down from a height of about 15 feet
above the sea floor and are subject to several design constraints. He found that the
pipes would buckle unless the design was changed and proposed a feasible design. When
the project management doubted Rob's analysis he devised a very quick and inexpensive
test to prove his assumptions. Part A outlines the problem. Part B shows Rob's
solution. Part C show his tests and the associated calculations. The case is useful in
connection with beam bending theory and to show the mechanics of interdepartmental
cooperation in a large company.
Positioning a Microwave Diode, S. Hayes and R.
Ganeriwal,
ECL 156
1970
Physical Description: Total 14 pages: 10 pages text; 4
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
The micro switches for the Apollo antennas had to withstand a temperature range of
140° and high vibration levels during lift-off. The problems and the solutions are
described in the case.
Interfaces at Sterling Development Laboratories,
Sue Hays,
ECL 157
1970
Physical Description: Total 15 pages (Parts
A,B,C)
Scope and Contents note
Sterling Development Laboratories contract was a large one: To build a complete data
collection system which included two antennas, two receivers, a transmitter, a data
processing display, and recording center. Customer constraints and the nature of the
electronic interface between the digital recorder and the computer magnetic tape
controller combined to cause difficulties.
Jumping a Derrick, Professor Ralph J.
Smith,
ECL 159
1970
Physical Description: Total 13 pages: 8 pages text, 5
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In this case study in construction engineering, Dan Jeffrey, a young civil engineer,
on his first field assignment for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, explains the
decisions he must make in determining the safety of storing steel on a partially
completed floor of a new building. Instructor's note is available.
Expansion of the Danville Pumping Plant, James
C. Collins,
ECL 160
1970
Physical Description: Total 55 pages: 20 pages text, 35
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Increase in water demand and expansion of pump capacity for the Danville-San Ramon
area, selection of pumps and reservoir sites, and problems of design constraints are
described chronologically from 1959 through 1969 when the new pumps were installed and
tested.
Switching a Tracking Antenna, Sue
Hays,
ECL73
1968
Physical Description: Total 14 pages: 6 pages text, 8
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
In 1963, Philco-Ford's Western Development Laboratories accepted a contract to design
and assemble a sixty-foot satellite tracking antenna for the military. Mr. Ed Fish was
one of about one hundred engineers in the department that was to design the antenna.
His particular section was responsible for the design of the antenna's control system;
this case concerns one aspect of that design-the system of push buttons used to switch
the antenna from one to another of its four operating modes.
Varian Associates, Redesign of a Liquid Nitrogen
Container,
William S. Chalk, Ivan A. Shirk and Robert B.
Thornhill,
ECL 72
1967
Physical Description: 35 pages; 10 graphic
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Varian Associates use a liquid nitrogen container made of polystyrene with metal
inserts on their cold trap vacuum pumping system. This container gave rise to a number
of customer complaints. Paul Hait was assigned the problem and solved it. Part A
presents historical background with examples of trouble reports. Part B relates Paul
Hait's attack on the problem and its solution. Part C draws conclusions and examines
future prospects.
Precision Instrument Company, Modification of a
Portable Video and Broadband Instrumentation Recorder,
Karl H. Vesper and
William H. Clemens,
ECL 76
1967
Physical Description: 13 pages; 6 graphic
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A team of four engineers are working to modify an existing video tape recorder so
that it can be operated without depending on 60 cycle ac. current supply. Manchi Colah
is one of the engineers on this team. The case is concerned with the experiments,
calculations, and inquiries which he made in order to arrive at a suitable motor to
drive the tape of this recorder.
Hewlett-Packard VI, Signal Generator Read-Out Design,
Karl H. Vesper, Robert Beardmore and Charles Fernald,
ECL 78
1967
Physical Description: 47 pages.
Scope and Contents note
Anthony Badger's ingenious solution to the problem of packaging an extended
instrumentation scale into a small space and keeping it readable is shown in some
detail with much interesting background. Seventeen pages of Part A contain mainly
background. Sixteen pages of Part B show the first solution with many pages of the
notebooks of Anthony Badger and of Peter Rich. This first solution is not
satisfactory. Part C explains the final solution in three pages of text and eleven
pages of photographs and notes reproduced from Mr. Rich's notebook.
Chaparral, Bolt Failure on a Racing Automobile,
Henry O. Fuchs and William H. Clemens,
ECL 79
1967
Physical Description: 3 pages of text and 2 pages of
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Mr. Jim Hall, designer and driver of the famous Chaparral race car, gave a talk
shortly after reports of bolt failures on his car had appeared in the press. He was
asked about these bolt failures. His explanation of the failures and of the way he
fixed them are given in the case, together with some additional information.
Consolidated Dynamics Corporation, Fracture of a Marine
Gear Rim,
William H. Clemens,
ECL 80
1968
Scope and Contents note
The rim of a large marine gear breaks during fabrication. Mr. George Reynolds, head
of the metallurgical laboratory investigates the failure and prescribes a remedy. Part
A describes the problem and Part B shows the steps which Mr. Reynolds and his staff
took. Part A consists of 4 pages of text, 7 pages of graphic exhibits and 5 pages of a
laboratory report prepared by Mr. Reynolds at Consolidated Dynamics. Part B consists
of 1 page of descriptive text and a 13 page laboratory report by Mr. Reynolds with 1
page of microphotographs. A brief instructor's note for this case is available.
Design of an Electron Beam Dump at Stanford Linear
Accelerator Center,
Munir R. El-Saden,
ECL 82
1967
Physical Description: 16 pages: 7 text and 9
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Early in 1964 Dieter R. Walz, a member of the technical staff at SLAC, was placed in
charge of developing a beam dump. This device is a heat exchanger capable of absorbing
and dissipating the high energy electron beams which must be disposed of at the end of
the 2 mile long accelerator. The case describes performance and maintainance
requirements for the beam dump and tells how Walz proceeded with his design.
Shielding a Toroid Amplifier at Stanford Linear
Accelerator Center,
Sue Hays,
ECL 90
1967
Physical Description: Total 8 pages
Scope and Contents note
Scientists at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center planned to mount a field
strength detecting device inside the pipe through which the electron beam travels. The
signal from this device would be passed through an amplifier mounted on the outside of
the pipe, then transmitted to a remote oscilloscope. This brief case study describes
the design and construction of a shield used to protect the amplifier from stray
electromagnetic fields produced by power sources for the accelerator. Included as
exhibits are the chassis layout and cover assembly drawings prepared by Pete Demos,
the designer assigned to the job.
Girder Alignment at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center,
Henry O. Fuchs and Sue Hays,
ECL 91
1968
Physical Description: Total 21 pages; 12 text, 9
graphic exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The alignment within 1/8 inch of the two mile long Stanford Linear Accelerator
presents problems in metrology and in structures. These are explained in part A. Part
B is concerned with one of the details: the interconnection and support of the 250
girders which carry the support tube. This interconnection permits adjustment of the
alignment if it should ever be disturbed. Detail drawings of parts which connect the
girders are shown as originally made and as revised to conform with better drawing
practices.
Development of a New Drill Steel at Ingersoll-Rand
Company,
H. O. Fuchs and Ronald J. Shuman,
ECL 94
1967
Physical Description: Total 20 pages, including text,
drawings, material specifications, and a patent application.
Scope and Contents note
Rock drills are used in mining, in excavating, and in other applications where it is
necessary to remove hard rock. The drills produce holes into which blasting charges
are later inserted. These holes may be as shallow as a few feet or as deep as one
hundred feet. Depths of fifty feet are common. The holes are produced by a bit which
is attached to one end of the drill rod (or steel). A pneumatic hammer hits the other
end of the drill steel, through a so-called shank piece. The drill steels themselves,
each about ten feet long and one and a half inches in diameter, are threaded at both
ends and joined by couplings. This case study provides some background on the drilling
process and the characteristics of existing drill steels, then traces the development
of an improved drill steel.
Development of an Undersea Power Supply at Aerojet
General Corporation,
William J. Clemens,
ECL 96
1967
Physical Description: Total 18 pages; 10 text and 8
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In March of 1967, Mr. Carl Carney of Aerojet General's Nucleonics Division in San
Ramon, California, was completing plans for modifications to be included in the second
prototype of Aerojet's Undersea Radioisotope Power Supply (URIPS). Mr. Carney had been
working on the project since late 1965 and this prototype was scheduled to be the last
design model in the URIPS series before production was started.
Pump Plunger Improvements at Kobe Inc., Robert
Martin,
ECL 100
1969
Physical Description: Total 20 pages: 3 pages text, 17
pages exhibits
Scope and Contents note
Kobe Inc. manufactures a positive displacement type triplex pump which is used in
their hydraulic oil well pumping system. To achieve reliability in these pumps, which
must operate continuously at high pressures (up to 30,000 psi.), Kobe engineers must
continually refine their design. As an example of such refinement, this case follows
the development of the pump plunger and liner over a period of 24 years.
Development of a High Speed Weighing Machine at FMC,
Sue Hays,
ECL 109
1969
Physical Description: Total 23 pages: 17 pages text, 6
pages exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The overall design process is traced step-by-step from an original concept to the
manufacture of several commercially useful prototypes. The designer was seeking a
quantum improvement in a food-weighing device by using fluidics instead of
electronics.
Hiller Aircraft Company II, (A) Design of a
Supercharger Inlet Duct, (B) Filter Housing Clearance Considerations, (C) Structura
Bracket Design, (D) Engine Shroud Design,
P. Z. Bulkeley, H. O. Fuchs, E. J.
Echterling,
ECL 28
1964
Physical Description: Total 42 pages (Parts A,B,C,D)
with 14 text, 28 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The company has decided to install a supercharger on the model 12-E helicopter to
give it higher altitude capability. The addition requires modification of an inlet
duct. In the first of four subcases, the duct design is complete except for drawing
the intersection of two pieces, a descriptive geometry problem. Paper cutout patterns
are included to save students' time. In Part B, Bill Lancaster, a power plant engineer
in the company has decided that clearance between the duct and part of the airframe
should be checked, another descriptive geometry problem, requiring consideration of
motion of the engine on its mounts as well. Part C presents the need for a simple
structural bracket design. Part D presents the need for an engine shroud design,
mainly a sketching problem.
Radiation Products Company, Failure of a Rotating
Mirror,
H. O. Fuchs, J. K. Williams,
ECL 30
1965
Physical Description: Total 28 pages, with 13 text, 15
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The company has been having problems with a mirror designed to rotate at speeds of
around 10,000 revolutions per second for taking high-speed photographs. Attempts at
solution over a period of years have not yet provided the answer and the question is
what should be done next.
Precision Instrument Corporation, Experience with a
Tape Reel Hold-down Mechanism,
H. O. Fuchs, R. D. Regier,
ECL 31
1965
Physical Description: Total 26 pages, with 9 text, 17
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Company engineers are dissatisfied with existing hold-down knobs used in one of their
tape recorders, feeling they are not simple or inexpensive enough. The case presents
their viewpoints plus data on existing devices as background for student design
projects.
William Wohlfort, Design of a Variable Frequency
Oscillator,
R. E. Miller, W. Wohlfort,
ECL 35
1965
Physical Description: Total 30 pages (Parts A,B,C,D)
with 15 text, 15 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Electronic circuit design of a variable frequency oscillator is the focus of this
case. Each of the first three sections ends with an unresolved problem answered by the
professional in the start of the succeeding section.
Allied Solid Rocket Corporation, E. J.
Fisher,
ECL 37
1965
Physical Description: Total 47 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
26 text, 21 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Need for expansion of a large and fairly complex facility for mixing solid rocket
fuel has raised a variety of engineering problems which are presented in three
sections of the case. The first concerns decision among three specific alternatives
for general design of the expansion. The second concerns selection of a heat
exchanger, and the third concerns selection of a pump to move the mix.
Dymo Industries, Inc., Design of a Tapewriter
Component,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
ECL 38
1965
Physical Description: Total 12 pages (Parts A,B) with 5
text, 7 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In the first of two parts a company engineer is asked to redesign a tape label
dispenser so it can handle two different widths of tape. The second part then goes on
to tell how he did the job. An instructor's note is available.
Rucker Company, (A) A Centrifuge Project, (B) Inertia
Starter for the Centrifuge, (C) Centrifuge Clutch Design,
H. O. Fuchs, O.
Lorentsen, A. Krauter,
ECL 39
1965
Physical Description: Total 16 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
7 text, 9 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The design of a centrifuge is described in three installments, each ending with some
unsolved problems. Suggested questions for the student appear at the end of each
installment.
Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division, Development of
a Light Observation Helicopter for the United States Army,
K. H. Vesper, E.
J. Echterling,
ECL 41
1965
Physical Description: Total 36 pages (Parts A,B) with
12 text, 24 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The first of two parts describes the need for sketching possible fuselage
configurations for a new light observation helicopter. The second part tells how the
craft was designed by the company to win competition for a large Army contract. A
brief instructor's note presents a viewpoint regarding what can be learned from the
experience.
Gar Wood Industries, Inc., Failures at Welded Joints in
a Hopper Trailer,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
ECL 42
1965
Physical Description: Total 27 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
11 text, 16 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In three installments this case tells of attempts by company engineers to eliminate
some failures which are occurring in welded joints of a hopper trailer pulled by large
diesel trucks.
Peterson Tractor Company, Design of a Side Sloper,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
Revised by Richard C.
Bourne,
ECL 43
1965 1968
Physical Description: Total 30 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
13 text, 17 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
An angled blade for a bulldozer needs to be drawn, confronting one of the company
engineers with a problem in descriptive geometry. The first of three parts describes
the problem situation and gives suggested questions for the student. The second
consists of notes for the instructor, and the third tells what the company engineer
actually did.
Dynasham Truck Company, Ltd., Truck Suspension Bolt and
Bushing Failures,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
ECL 44
1966
Physical Description: Total 37 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
13 text, 24 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Lance O'Leary, a young graduate engineer, is confronted with failure of a bolt and
rubber bushing which connect a leaf spring to a truck frame. By repeated analyses of
the failure, investigation of the part, and redesign, he succeeds in overcoming the
problem. He also develops some designs which he would have used if the problem had not
been solved by his earlier attempt. Lance's work in this case includes stress
calculations, life test specifications, material selection, and consultation with
various suppliers.
Marvetti, Inc., Design and Development of a Printing
Calculator,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
ECL 45
1966
Physical Description: Total 91 pages (Parts A,B,C,D,E)
with 20 text, 71 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part A gives the background of the company, the state-of-the-art of printing
calculators, and organization chart of Marvetti, and a brief history of the management
decisions before Harvey Shaw was assigned as Project Engineer. Part B discusses the
extensive test programs used in the development of business machines. Part C shows
some of the moves which were made in order to start production of this machine in a
European plant of this American company. Part D shows a number of the design changes
which were necessary to debug the machine after pilot production had been started.
box 2
Systron-Donner Corporation, Design of an Analog Computer, H.O. Fuchs, J.A.
Alic,
Case 47:
1966
box 2
Travaglio Engineering Company, Manufacturing Design for a Cycle Timer, R.E.
Keller,
Case 51:
1966
box 2
Development of a Dynamic Seal at Beckman Instruments, Inc.-Spinco Division,
William J. Clemens, David Horine,
Case 52:
1967
box 2
Ford Motor Company, Design of an Automatic Welding Machine, J.A.
Alic
Case 53:
1968
box 2
Beckman and Whitley, Inc. II, Design of a Mirror Mount, H.O. Fuchs, D.A.
Horing, Revised by Richard C. Bourne,
Case 54:
1966 1968
box 2
Dalmo Victor/Alic-Hayes Case 56:
box 2
Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, an Ultra-High Vacuum Flange Seal, K.H. Vesper,
J.A. Alic,
Case 57:
1966
box 2
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center I, (A) Development of a Remotely Operable
High-Vacuum coupling, (B) The SLAC Design, (C) Ring-spring Analysis and Load Spring
Design Problems, (D) Coil Spring Design, (E) Material Selection, (F) Ring-Spring
Material Selection and Casting Problems, J.A. Alic,
Case 59:
1966
box 2
Art Whiting, To Weight A man in Space, K.H. Vesper, Case 60:
1966
Philco Corporation I, (A) Satellite Tracking and
Commanding Console Layout, (B) Student Console Layout Solution, (C) Panel Evaluation
and Testing,
R. H. McKim, J. K. Williams,
ECL 25
1965
Physical Description: Total 55 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
15 text, 40 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Is human factors engineering really just application of simple common sense or does
it require special professional competence? Part A describes a test designed by the
company to compare skills of professionals in this field with those of amateurs. Part
B shows the performance of one of the amateurs. Part C presents further overall
results of the test from which conclusions are to be drawn.
box 2
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center II, Beam Pipe Cooling System, J.A.
Alic,
Case 61:
1966
box 2
General Electric Company, Vallecitos Atomic Laboratory, Ventilation Exhaust
Stack, P.A. Bulkeley, D.A. Horine, Revised By Sue Hays,
Case 62:
1967
box 2
Data International II, Voltage Regulation, J. W. Hill, Case 63:
1966
box 2
Data International III, Electrical Appliances, J.W. Hill, Case 64:
1966
box 2
UTC/Dix-Short-Ewbank/1966 Summer Institute Case 66:
box 2
Hewlett-Packard V, Microwave Switch, W.E. Bullock, J.W. Hill, G.R.
Powley,
Case 67:
1966
box 2
Ampex Corporation, Tape Recorder Capstan Shaft, K.H. Vesper, J.A.
Alic,
Case 68:
1966
box 2
City of San Jose-IBM Corporation Computerized Traffic Control, D.O. Covault,
G.A. Fleischer, P.F. Williams,
Case 69:
1966
box 2
Bechtel Corporation, Process Analysis and Optimization of a Desalting Plant
Design, J.W. McCutchan, R.P. Vail, E.N. Zeigler,
Case 70:
1966
box 2
Varian Associates, Redesign of a Liquid Nitrogen Container, William S. Chalk,
Ivan A. Shirk and Robert B. Thornhill,
Case 72:
1967
box 2
Switching a Tracking Antenna, Sue Hays, Case 73:
1968
Beckman and Whitley, Inc. I, Design of a 16mm Portable
News Film Camera,
H. O. Fuchs, D. A. Horine,
Revised by
Richard C. Bourne,
ECL 46
1966 1968
Physical Description: Total 34 pages, with 9 text, 25
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A leader in the field of scientific high-speed cameras enters the field of cameras
for TV spot reporting. Progress of the project from the initial decision through early
idea sketches and several prototypes to the successful production design is described
in this case.
Systron-Donner Corporation, Design of an Analog
Computer,
H. O. Fuchs, J. A. Alic,
ECL 47
1966
Physical Description: Total 36 pages (Parts A,B) with
10 text, 26 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Dick Dunlop is charged with the overall design of a small analog computer from given
components and subsystems. Part A gives the background of the company and of the
product. Part B shows a number of Dick's early sketches and the finished product. It
also discusses a detail mechanical problem connected with a latch mechanism.
Travaglio Engineering Company, Manufacturing Design for
a Cycle Timer,
R. E. Keller,
ECL 51
1966
Physical Description: Total 14 pages, with 9 text, 5
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Mr. Dalny Travaglio, consulting design engineer, had developed and tested the
conceptual design for a high accuracy, high repeatability cycle timer. This case
presents the information required for carrying out the final mechanical design of the
timer and is intended as an exercise in design for mass manufacture.
Development of A Dynamic Seal at Beckman Instruments,
Inc.-Spinco Division,
William J. Clemens, David Horine,
ECL 52
1967
Physical Description: Total 14 pages, with 4 text, 10
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Mr. Chet Arnessen, a young employee of Beckman Instruments, was asked to redesign
part of the buffer pump of his company's Model 130 Spectrochrom Analyzer. A few of
Beckman's customers had complained that the moving seals in this pump developed leaks
after very little use; these complaints were reaching the company at the rate of one
or two a month with some repeats. Beckman's customers were scattered all over the
world and, since the Spectrochrom Analyzer is not portable, the company had to send
its Field Service personnel to them to make whatever repairs were necessary.
Ford Motor Company, Design of an Automatic Welding
Machine,
J. A. Alic
ECL 53
1968
Physical Description: Total 25 pages; 9 drawings, 3
reproduced from Ford Motor Company originals, and 6 pages of other
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Ray Rogers and Bill Fleming are assigned the problem of designing an automatic
welding device to replace the manual spot welding of rocker panels on the Mustang.
Part A outlines the problem. Part B shows the solution which, however, introduced a
new problem: the machine interfered with the smooth flow of bodies along the
production line. Part C shows how this difficulty was overcome.
Beckman and Whitley, Inc. II, Design of a Mirror Mount,
H. O. Fuchs, D. A. Horine, Revised by Richard C. Bourne,
ECL 54
1966 1968
Physical Description: Total 12 pages (Parts A,B) with 5
text, 7 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Les Brown, who was in charge of the job said, We wasted a considerable amount of time
due to the fact that we had all forgotten our descriptive geometry. The case concerns
the determination and communication of the specifications for a block which fits into
the camera and holds a mirror which reflects the light at 90 degrees to the side and
30 degrees upwards. The erroneous original sketches and the finished shop drawing with
tolerances are shown beside the data necessary as background for this part. An
instructor's note is available.
Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, An Ultra-High Vacuum
Flange Seal,
K. H. Vesper, J. A. Alic,
ECL 57
1966
Physical Description: Total 7 pages, with 4 text, 3
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
While developing a new ultra-high vacuum seal needed for connecting pipes in nuclear
fusion research equipment (Project Sherwood), Mr. Tom Batzer, a mechanical engineer,
had to determine the size, spacing, and torque for flange bolts. A one page conclusion
section describes how he approached the problem.
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center I, (A) Development
of a Remotely Operable High-Vacuum Coupling, (B) The SLAC Design, (C) Ring-Spring
Analysis and Load Spring Design Problems, (D) Coil Spring Design, (E) Material
Selection, (F) Ring-Spring Material Selection and Casting Problems,
J. A.
Alic,
ECL 59
1966
Physical Description: Total 49 pages (Parts
A,B,C,D,E,F) with 14 text, 35 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The six parts present the history of a remotely operable high-vacuum coupling design.
The story presents problems in materials selection (including indium and stainless
steel), elastic analysis and deflections, and design.
Art Whiting, To Weigh A Man In Space, K. H.
Vesper,
ECL 60
1966
Physical Description: Total 15 pages, with 6 text, 9
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Intended for freshman orientation, this case dealing with design of a means to weigh
a man in space has also been used successfully at graduate level. The analytic problem
faced by Mr. Whiting at the end of the case is to determine the man's mass from
Newton's second law from stopwatch experimental data. The question then is what to do
about the fact that the accuracy is not quite satisfactory. Teaching objectives are
similar to ECL 58, namely, to let the freshman see that his elementary science applies
but he needs more to become a pro.
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center II, Beam Pipe
Cooling System,
J. A. Alic,
ECL 61
1966
Physical Description: Total 93 pages (Parts A,B,C,D,E)
with 29 text, 64 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
After general agreement had been reached that the pipe should be cooled by
circulating liquid the question for SLAC mechanical engineer Al Lisin was, how? In
five parts this case unfolds the history of the design. Intended primarily for use in
a graduate-level heat transfer course.
General Electric Company, Vallecitos Atomic Laboratory,
Ventilation Exhaust Stack,
P. Z. Bulkeley, D. A. Horine, Revised by Sue
Hays,
ECL 62
1967
Physical Description: Total 16 pages (Parts A,B,C,D)
with 9 text, 7 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
During extension of the ventilation stack one of the construction engineers noticed
cracks in the concrete base. Mr. Don Brown, a mechanical engineer, undertook to
analyze the problem and propose a solution. Four chapters describe how he proceeded
with the analysis, in which he assumed that wind-induced vibrations caused the
cracking.
Data International II, Voltage Regulation, J. W.
Hill,
ECL 63
1966
Physical Description: Total 19 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
5 text, 14 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A practical case intended to interest students in the application of circuit
analysis, presented in three parts. Need for an inexpensive method for reducing the
fluctuation of the voltage supplied to a mission in Guatemala is expressed in a letter
from a missionary. The first part defines the problem through an exchange of letters
between Data International and the missionary. The second part gives a solution
suggested by a consultant, and presents a second letter from another missionary in
Darjeeling, India who has a similar problem. The third part is an answer from another
consultant who uses a different approach to the problem.
Data International III, Electrical Appliances,
J. W. Hill,
ECL 64
1966
Physical Description: Total 11 pages, with 2 text, 9
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A letter was received by Data International from a missionary going to Urguay raising
some interesting questions regarding the use of United States manufactured appliances
on both the 60 cycle United States current and the 50 cycle Uruguyan current. Three
consultants replied in different ways, providing material for a comparative critical
review.
Hewlett-Packard V, Microwave Switch, W. E.
Bullock, J. W. Hill, G. R. Powley,
ECL 67
1966
Physical Description: Total 27 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
14 text, 13 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In three parts this case briefly summarizes key engineering problems in the
development of a high-speed broadband microwave switch. Two main points of focus are
concerned with innovations in the design and problems of transferring the design to
manufacturing.
Ampex Corporation, Tape Recorder Capstan Shaft,
K. H. Vesper, J. A. Alic,
ECL 68
1966
Physical Description: Total 44 pages (Parts A,B) with 5
text, 5 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
The first part of this short case describes design of a capstan shaft, which must
operate smoothly in a precision tape recorder, stopping at the point where bearings
must be selected. A second part tells how the engineer on the job designed the
bearings and, in particular, how he solved problems of lubrication.
City of San Jose-IBM Corporation, Computerized Traffic
Control,
D. O. Covault, G. A. Fleischer, P. F. Williams,
ECL 69
1966
Physical Description: Total 61 pages (Parts A,B,C,D)
with 38 text, 23 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part A of this case describes how IBM and San Jose try using a digital computer to
control city auto traffic. Part B describes the system, C describes strategies with
which it was applied, and D gives the results which convinced the city to install a
modified system for regular control of certain intersections. Suggestions for the
instructor are included.
Bechtel Corporation, Process Analysis and Optimization
of a Desalting Plant Design,
J. W. McCutchan, R. P. Vail, E. N.
Ziegler,
ECL 70
1966
Physical Description: Total 39 pages (Parts A,B,C) with
15 text, 24 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Mr. Rufus Crawford in 1964 was asked to help analyze large scale flash distillation
of saline water to (1) improve the company's competence in desalting technology and
(2) to develop experience in computer aided optimization. The first part presents the
problem of deriving a general scheme and criteria for evaluations. The second part
poses the problem of developing heat and mass balance equations. A third section
describes how Crawford went at the job. An instructor's note is included which
suggests assignments and references.
Rice in Burma, Arnold, John E. and A. T. Ling,
M.I.T.,
ECL 1-9
1952
Physical Description: Total 29 pages with 23 text. 6
exhibits. OUT OF PRINT.
Scope and Contents note
Gives the state-of-the-art in Burmese rice growing. Intended as background from which
students can identify design needs as bases for design projects.
Chinese Typewriter, Arnold, John E. and A. T. Ling,
M.I.T.,
ECL 1-11
1952
Physical Description: Total 38 pages with 21 text, 17
exhibits. OUT OF PRINT.
Scope and Contents note
Tells something about the characters of the Chinese language and about previous ideas
for Chinese character typewriters. Intended as a basis for student creative thinking
towards better design.
Telephone Information Service, Need for a Better
Directory System,
Arnold, John E.
ECL 1-12
1959
Physical Description: Total 8 pages. OUT OF
PRINT.
Scope and Contents note
Problems of providing telephone numbers quickly and economically to facilitate direct
dialing are suggested.
Development of an Oil Well Tubing Stripper Rubber,
P. E. Bickel, H. O. Fuchs, UCLA,
ECL 1-13
1964
Physical Description: Total 30 pages with 14 text, 16
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part one is a formal report submitted as evidence of accomplishment in applying for
registration as Mechanical Engineer. Part two is an informal tale of adventures
recalled on the project.
The Wright Brothers' Airplane, H. O. Fuchs,
UCLA,
ECL 1-14
1964
Physical Description: Total 29 pages with 14 text, 15
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A history drawn from published sources including quotations of Orville Wright taken
from a deposition he gave as a witness in a 1920 lawsuit. Intended for introducing
freshmen to engineering design.
Design and Development of an Automatic Refrigerator Car
Heater,
H. O. Fuchs, UCLA,
ECL 1-15
1963
Physical Description: Total 80 pages with 20 text, 60
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
History of a product from inception to large-scale use. Told by main customer and
chief engineer. Includes samples of engineering reports, patents, drawings, and
suggested assignment problems for students.
Selected Design Notes, reproduced from the
Flight Safety Foundation.
ECL 1-16
Physical Description: Total 10 pages.
Scope and Contents note
A selection of one page illustrated descriptions telling of an aircraft component
failure, explaining its cause and the recommended remedy.
Hoover Dam, H. O. Fuchs, P. Searles,
UCLA,
ECL 1-17
1964
Physical Description: Total 33 pages with 16 text, 17
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Taken from published sources plus interviews with former engineers of the project,
this historical description was prepared to illustrate engineering design and its role
in society for a freshman.
Hewlett-Packard Company 1, (A) Mechanical Design of
Coaxial Microwave Connectors, (B) History of Coaxial Microwave Connector Design,
K. H. Vesper,
(C) Commercial Development of the Sexless
Connector by Amphenol Corporation,
Sue Hays,
ECL 1
1964, 1967
Physical Description: Total 65 pages (Parts A, B, C)
with 16 text, 49 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Anthony Badger, a mechanical engineer has been asked by his management for the
mechanical design of a better coaxial connector for microwave frequencies. Part A
relates the situation which he faced. Part B of the case shows how Mr. Badger
approached the problem, his idea sketches and his detail work. Part C shows the
redesign done by Amphenol who purchased the patent and marketed the connector.
Hewlett-Packard Company III, (A) Drill Jig Design for a
Structural Plate, (B) Drill Jig Tolerances,
P. Z. Bulkeley, E.
Echterling,
ECL 15
1964
Physical Description: Total 43 pages (Parts A,B) with 9
text, 34 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part A describes a situation at Hewlett-Packard in which a drill jig is needed. Part
(B) is a sequel showing a company engineer's layout of the solution for which precise
dimensional tolerances remain to be determined. Part A alone can be used as a design
problem. Students could later be given Part B to compare their solutions with a
professional's. Or for a drawing problem alone both parts could be handed out together
for students to work out the tolerances and put on dimensions. Background description
includes how the problem came up, what the jig has to do with manufacturing, and why
there is need for solution.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Digital Computer
Simulation of a Hydroelectric Plant,
R. E. Keller, R. D. Regier,
ECL 16
1964
Physical Description: Total 45 pages, with 15 text, 30
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Written for a graduate system engineering course which emphasizes mathematical
representation of system components and computer simulation of complex systems, this
case has also found application in a civil engineering course on hydraulic machinery.
The case begins with general discussion of the water power industry, then describes in
some detail a particular hydroelectric power station, the Kings River Plant in
California.
FMC Corporation, (A) Need for a Rice Sorter, (B) Rice
Sorter Layout, (C) Mechanical Failures in a Rice Sorter, (D) Rice Sorter Redesign,
K. H. Vesper, J. K. Williams,
ECL 17
1964
Physical Description: Total 96 pages (Parts A,B,C,D)
with 22 text, 74 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Part A presents background in processed rice. Part B gives the concept selected by
the company, carrying the story to the point where layout of a specific design is
needed. Part C describes some problems which arose in the first machine. Part D tells
how an FMC engineer went at the problems.
Oxford Laboratories, Prothrometer Design, R. H.
McKim, J. K. Williams,
ECL 18
1964
Physical Description: Total 39 pages, with 20 text, 19
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
An industrial design consultant, Robert H. McKim, has been asked to redesign a device
for measuring blood clotting time (prothrometer), to improve its ease of assembly,
ease of operation, and appearnace. The case is intended to give students practice in
asking questions. It comes with a selection of additional handouts and with an
Instructor's Note to respond to student questions asked about the general problems
stated in this case.
Hewlett-Packard Company II, Mechanical Design of a
Rotary Vane Microwave Attenuator,
P. Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling,
Revised by Sue Hays,
ECL 19
1967
Physical Description: Total 13 pages (Parts A,B) with 4
text, 9 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
In the first of two parts of this case, company engineers are faced with cracking in
some shrink-fit parts of a rotary vane waveguide attenuator. Suitable as a problem in
stress analysis. In Part B of the case, the Hewlett-Packard engineers have decided on
the modification required to prevent cracking, and the remaining problem is to put
dimensional tolerances on the parts, a problem suitable for freshman drawing. An
Instructor's Note is included.
Hewlett-Packard Company IV, Component Layout of an
Electronic Signal Analyzer,
P. Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling,
ECL 20
1964
Physical Description: Total 41 pages, with 8 text, 33
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Layout drawings are needed showing the arrangement with dimensions of electronic
components and controls for a new model electronic signal analyzer. Intended as a
problem for freshmen, its background illustrates the role of mechanical drawing in
design of electronic equipment.
Hiller Aircraft Company I, Preliminary Design of a
Light Observation Helicopter,
P. Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling,
Revised 1968 by Richard C. Bourne.
ECL 21
1964
Physical Description: Total 38 pages, with 7 text, 31
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Intended as a simple design and sketching problem for freshmen, this case presents
background of a major Hiller project in development of a new helicopter to compete for
an Army contract for the largest single quantity of aircraft purchased since World War
II. Description of how the project proceeds in the company and how compromises are
required include by implication some of the constraints which the student should
observe in his arrangement of major components and sketching of possible
configurations.
Data International I, A Portable Sawmill, P. Z.
Bulkeley, R. D. Regier,
ECL 22
1964
Physical Description: Total 35 pages, with 11 text, 24
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
A letter has been received from a Colombian missionary expressing need for a
lightweight portable machine for cutting logs into boards at stump site. Case intended
to launch students into design projects of their own with minimal time wasted.
Information on conventional sawmill practices and existing machinery plus some words
of advice from experienced sawmill equipment designers are included.
Guy F. Atkinson Company, Clearance Between a Conveyor
and Support Tower,
H. O. Fuchs, R. D. Regier, Revised 1968 by Richard C.
Bourne.
ECL 23
1965
Physical Description: Total 13 (Parts A,B) with 6 text,
7 exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Two parts comprise this case. The first presents a problem in descriptive geometry to
assure clearance between a conveyor and a tower over which it must pass at a skew
angle. The other concerns design of a simple bracket for fastening one end of the
conveyor. All events are taken from circumstances of a current California canal
construction project. General aspects of the project are included in description of
the background from which the problem emerges.
box 3
Lazer Hardware, Fred Moreno, Case 189:
1972
box 3
Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas, Sterling Beckwith, Case 198:
1973
box 3
Amphibious Vehicle Models: Calibration and Testing, Al Nahas, Case 199:
1973
box 3
150 Ton Pipe: Easier To Make Than to Move, Al Nahas, Case 200:
1973
box 3
Design of an Improved Aircraft Seat, R. Stephen Ball, William B. Goodman,
William J. Kennish,
Case 201:
1973
box 3
Peterson Tractor, Albert J. Nahas, Case 205:
1973
box 3
Air Force A-7D Brake Problem, H.O. Fuchs, Case 212:
1974
box 3
Paul Hait and the Dental Unit, D. N. Howse, Case 213:
1974
box 3
Designing a Gantry for Kyung Won, Professor H. O. Fuchs and Professor S.
Bae,
Case 215:
1974
box 3
Difficulties with Modular Housing, G. Kardos, Case 219:
1975
box 3
Thermal Fatigue and Instrument Design, Laurie Rendall, Case 221:
1975
box 3
Measuring Motor Torque-Speed Curves, G. Kardos, A. Chuman, Case 222:
1976
box 3
The 3.5 Millimetre Sliding Load, R. Sloss, Case 223:
1960
box 3
Bart Dead Train Detection, O. Baskind, N. Y. N. Chu, J. A. Palomo, J. F.
Rollings,
Case 224:
1976
The Story of Eighty-Four Minutes, J. P. Den
Hartog,
ECL 1001
1966
Physical Description: Total 26 pages.
Scope and Contents note
A short elementary monograph by Professor Den Hartog on the special properties of a
pendulum tuned to a period of eighty-four minutes and on the application of this
device to navigation gyroscopes. Thirteen problems related to this pendulum are
stated.
A Critical Meeting on the Development of Inertial
Navigation-Related to The Story of 84 Minutes,
W. Bollay,
ECL 1002
1966
Physical Description: Total 24 pages.
Scope and Contents note
Dr. Bollay's report on a confrontation between the proponents of guided missiles and
a scientist who had declared such guided missiles to be impractical. A confrontation
was arranged by the Secretary of the Air Force and resulted in changing the mind of
the scientist.
Spin Stability of the Explorer Satellite,
William Bollay,
ECL 1006
1967
Physical Description: Total 49 pages, 14 pages of
charts and figures.
Scope and Contents note
This case relates a number of instructive events from the development of the highly
successful Explorer satellite. It was designed to spin about its axis of minimum
moment of inertia at a rate of about 700 RPM. But anomalies in the signals received
from its antenna led to the conclusion that after about one orbit it changed to a
rotation about its axis of maximum moment of inertia at a rate of about 120 RPM.
Background and observed data are given in Part I. A dynamic analysis which explains
the behavior is presented in Part II. Other interesting dynamic phenomena observed in
the Explorer are discussed in Part III. The historical background is given in Part IV,
documented by extracts from periodicals. The case includes a note for Instructors.
Ion Exchange Case Study, Arnold, John E. and R. S.
Welther, M.I.T.,
ECL 1-4
1955
Physical Description: Total 48 pages.
Scope and Contents note
State-of-the-art in ion exchange systems is described as background from which
student design projects can be selected. A number of needs and problems are indicated
to be awaiting solution.
Box Car Design Project, Arnold, John E.,
M.I.T.,
ECL 1-5
1952
Physical Description: Total 16 pages with 10 text, 6
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
Illustrates the state-of-the-art in boxcar construction, giving dimensional and other
data on the cars and suggesting some disadvantages which may suggest a variety of
possible design projects by students.
Sick Room Equipment, Arnold, John E. and G. H. Wood,
M.I.T.,
ECL 1-6
1956
Physical Description: Total 36 pages with 21 text, 15
exhibits.
Scope and Contents note
State-of-the-art in hospital beds, presenting background data on hospital beds as
source material for student design projects. Students are to ferret out their own
problems and then develop solutions.
box 3
Design of a Centrifuge Rotor Cap, P.C. Garg, Case 137:
1969
box 3
Electric Beam Collimator, M.J. Lum, Case 138:
1969
box 3
A Special Testing Problem at IBM, K. J. Waldron, Case 144:
1970
box 3
Howard Arneson's Pool-Sweep, P.C. Garg, Case 146:
1970
box 3
Design of a Ball Transfer Unit for Air Cargo, R. K. Ganeriwal, Case 149:
1970
box 3
Drop Master, R. Ganeriwal, Case 150:
1970
box 3
Underwater Pipeline, Dean C. Ing, Case 151:
1970
box 3
Positioning a Microwave Diode, S. Hayes and R. Ganeriwal, Case 156:
1970
box 3
Interfaces at Sterling Development Labaratories, Sue Hays, Case 157:
1970
box 3
Jumping a Derrick, Professor Ralph J. Smith, Case 159:
1970
box 3
Expansion of the Danville Pump Plant, James C. Collins, Case 160:
1970
box 3
Development of a Stainless Steel Trashrack, R. J. Shuman, Case 161:
1970
box 3
Variable Stability System of the X-14A VTOL Aircraft, J. Hill, G. Kardos, A.
Winn,
Case 162:
1970
box 3
To Find a Bullet, Geza Kardos, Case 174:
1971
box 3
Negligence, Drew V. Nelson, Case 178:
1971
box 3
A Four Barrel Step-and-Repeat Camera, Geza Kardos, Case 181:
1971
box 3
The Design of the Bart-AFC Barrier Drive System at IBM, R.
Pizali,
Case 185:
1972
box 3
The Pickup-Head Link Failure, R. Pizali, Case 186:
1972
box 3
Value Engineering Applied to an IBM Leveling Screw, R. Pizali, Case 187:
1972
box 3
The Stun-Gun, A. P. Shack and G. Kardos, Case 188:
1972
box 2
Precision Instrument Company, Modification of a Portable Video and Broadband
Instrumentation Recorder, Karl H. Vesper and William H. Clemens,
Case 76:
1967
box 2
Hewlett-Packard VI, Signal Generator Read-Out Design, Karl H. Vesper, Robert
Beardmore and Charles Fernald,
Case 78:
1967
box 2
Chaparral, Bolt Failure on a Racing Automobile, Henry O. Fuchs and William H.
Clemens,
Case 79:
1967
box 2
Consolidated Dynamics Corporation, Fracture of a Marine Gear Rim, William H.
Clemens,
Case 80:
1968
box 2
Design of an Electric Beam Dump at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Munir
R. El-Saden,
Case 82:
1967
box 2
Shedding a Toroid Amplifier at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Sue
Hays,
Case 90:
1967
box 2
Girder Alignment at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Henry O. Fuchs and
Sue Hays,
Case 91:
1968
box 2
Development of a New Drill at Ingersoll-Rand Company, H.O. Fuchs and Ronald
J. Shuman,
Case 94:
1967
box 2
Development of an Undersea Power Supply Aerojet General Corporation, William
J. Clemens,
Case 96:
1967
box 2
Pump Plunger Improvements at Kobe Inc., Robert Martin, Case 100:
1969
box 2
Development of a High Speed Weighing Machine at FMC, Sue Hays, Case 109:
1969
box 2
Design of a Hand Operated Film Drive Mechanism, John Sondeno, Case 111:
1969
box 2
The Go-Matic Accessory for Motorcycles, Prem Garg, Case 113:
1969
box 2
Development of a Circular Strike Plate at Schlage Lock Company, Richard C.
Bourne,
Case 114:
1968
box 3
Harvey La Branche: Spring Failures in a New Toy Rifle, Karl H.
Vesper,
Case 120:
1968
box 3
Warren Deutsch: Design of a Satellite Controlling Instrument Panel, Mitchel
Blanton,
Case 124:
1968
box 3
Plastic Pipe Saddle Design, Perm Garg, Case 126:
1969
box 3
Three Years to Design a Door, Drew V. Nelson, Case 127:
1969
box 1
Philco Corporation I, (A) Patient Room Door Handles, (B) Opening Sliding
Glass Doors, (C) Surgical Instrument Cabinet Doors, (D) Label Dispenser Design, R. H.
McKim, J.K. Williams,
Case 25:
1965
box 1
IBM II, Geneva Mechanism, K.H. Vesper. Case 26:
box 1
Hiller Aircraft Company II, (A) Design of a Supercharger Inlet Duct, (B)
Filter Housing Clearance Considerations, (C) Structural Bracket Design, (D) Engine
shroud Design, P.Z. Bulkeley, H.O. Fuchs, E.J. Echterling,
Case 28:
1964
box 1
Radiation Products Company, Failure of a Rotating Mirror, H.O. Fuchs, J. K.
Williams,
Case 30:
1965
box 1
Precision Instrument Corporation, Experience with a Tape Reel Hold-down
Mechanism, H.O. Fuchs, R.D. Regier,
Case 31:
1965
box 1
William Wohlfort, Design of a Variable Frequency Oscillator, R.E. Miller, W.
Wohlfort,
Case 35:
1965
box 1
Allied Solid Rocket Corporation, E.J. Fisher, Case 37:
1965
box 1
Dymo Industries, Inc., Design of a Typewriter Component, H.O. Fuchs, J.A.
Alic,
Case 38:
1965
box 1
Rucker Company, (A) A Centrifuge Project, (B) Inertia Starter for the
Centrifuge, (C) Centrifuge Clutch Design, H.O. Fuchs, O. Lorentsen, A.
Krauter,
Case 39:
1965
box 2
Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division Development of a light Observation
Helicopter for the United States Army, K.H. Vesper, E.J. Echterling,
Case 41:
1965
box 2
Gar Wood Industries, Inc. Failures at Welded Joints in a Hopper Trailer, H.O.
Fuchs, J.A. Alic,
Case 42:
1965
box 2
Peterson Tractor Company, Design of a Side Sloper, H.O. Fuchs, J.A. Alic,
revised by Richard C. Bourne,
Case 43:
1965 1968
box 2
Dynasham Truck Company, Ltd., Truck Suspension Bolt and Bushing Failures,
H.O. Fuchs, J.A. Alic,
Case 44:
1966
box 2
Marvetti, Inc., Design and Development of a Printing Calculator, H.O. Fuchs,
J.A. Alic,
Case 45:
1966
box 2
Beckman and Whitley, Inc. I, Design of a 16mm Portable News Film Camera, H.O.
Fuchs, D.A. Horine, Revised by Richard C. Bourne,
Case 46:
1966 1968
box 1
Hoover Dam, H.O. Fuchs, P. Searles, UCLA, Case 1-17:
1964
box 1
Selected Design Notes, reproduced from the Flight Safety
Foundation.
Case 1-16:
box 1
The Story of Eight-Four Minutes, J.P. Den Hartog, Case 1001:
1966
box 1
A Critical Meeting on the Development of Inertial Navigation-Related to The
Story of 84 Minutes, W. Bollay,
Case 1002:
1966
box 1
Spin Stability of the Explorer Satellite, William Bollay, Case 1006:
1967
box 1
Hewlett-Packard Company I, (A) Mechanical Design of Coaxial Microwave
Connectors, (B) History of Coaxial Microwave Connector design, K.H. Vesper, (C)
Commercial Development of the Sexless Connector by Amphenol Corporation, Sue
Hays,
Case 1:
1964, 1967
box 1
Hewlett-Packard Company III, (A) Drill Jig Design for a Structural Plate, (B)
Drill Jig Tolerances, P.Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling,
Case 15:
1964
box 1
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Digital Computer Simulation of a
Hydroelectric Plant, R.E. Keller, R.D. Regier,
Case 16:
1964
box 1
FMC Corporation, (A) Need for a Rice Sorter, (B) Rice Sorter Layout, (C)
Mechanical Failures in a Rice Sorter, (D) Rice Sorter Redesign, K.H. Vesper, J.K.
Williams,
Case 17:
1964
box 1
Oxford Laboratories, Prothrometer Design, R.H. McKim, J.K.
Williams,
Case 18:
1964
box 1
Hewlett-Packard Company II, Mechanical Design of a Rotary Vane Microwave
Attenuator, P.Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling, Revised by Sue Hays,
Case 19:
1967
box 1
Hewlett-Packard Company IV, Component Layout of an Electronic Signal
Analyzer, P.Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling,
Case 20:
1964
box 1
Hiller Aircraft Company I, Preliminary Design of a Light Observation
Helicopter, P.Z. Bulkeley, E. Echterling, Revised 1968 by Richard C.
Bourne.
Case 21:
1964
box 1
Data International I, A Portable Sawmill, P. Z. Bulkeley, R.D.
Regier,
Case 22:
1964
box 1
Guy F. ATkinson Company, Clearance Between a Conveyor and Support Tower, H.O.
Fuchs, R.D. Regier, Revised 1968 by Richard C. Bourne.
Case 23:
1965
box 1
Ion Exchange Case Study, Arnold, John E. and R. S. Welther, M.I.T., Case 1-4:
1955
box 1
Box Car Design Project, Arnold, John E., M.I.T., Case 1-5:
undated
box 1
Sick Room Equipment, Arnold, John E. and G.H. Wood, M.I.T., Case 1-6:
1956
box 1
Arcturus IV, Arnold, John E., M.I.T. Case 1-7:
1953
box 1
Ceres Project, Arnold, John E., H. W. Babcock, E. L. Davis, M.I.T. Case 1-8:
1954
box 1
Rice in Burma, Arnold, John E., A.T. Ling, M.I.T., Case 1-9:
1953
box 1
Zylerium Blindness, Arnold, John E., Stanford. Case 1-10:
box 1
Chinese typewriter, Arnold, John E. and A.T. Ling, M.I.T., Case 1-11:
1952
box 1
Telephone Information Service, Need for a Better Directory System, Arnold, John E., Stanford, Case 1-12:
1959
box 1
Development of an Oil Well Tubing Stripper Rubber, P.E. Bickel, H.O. Fuchs,
UCLA,
Case 1-13:
1964
box 1
The Wright Brothers's Airplane, H.O. Fuchs, UCLA, Case 1-14:
1964
box 1
Design and Development of an Automatic Refrigerator Car Heater, H.O. Fuchs,
UCLA,
Case 1-15:
1963