X. D. FANG
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia

This paper presents details of the development of a computer animation system for machining operations to be used to enhance the teaching effect of a manufacturing course for mechanical engineering students. Such a computer animation system is particularly useful for the situation where it is difficult to arrange appropriate machining experiments due to the large size of class, or the limitations on laboratory facilities, etc. It has been shown that using such a computer animation system can greatly help students understand the machining mechanism because each student can „operate the machine" on his/her own and observe the dynamic machining process performance by varying the process parameters through the computer keyboard control. It has also been shown, through teaching practice, that the teaching effect can be greatly enhanced by the use of this computer animation system.