The Mechanical Engineering Laboratory is designed to meet the general purposes of testing and studying machines and materials. It consists of several distinct sections devoted to the special phases of experimental engineering. These sections are as follows: steam, internal combustion engines, flow of fluids, hydraulics, fuels and oils, metallurgy and heat treatment, and machine tools.
The steam division of the laboratory consists of a steam boiler, simple, automatic and compound engines, low speed and high speed turbines, jet and surface condensers, feedwater heater, pumps, weighing tanks, meters and calorimeters. Each machine is equipped with apparatus for measuring quantities conforming with the A. S. M. E. test codes.
The internal combustion engine section includes Diesel engines, a gas engine, Diesel and gasoline automotive engines and water and air cooled airplane engines. Each test engine is connected to a dynamometer. Instruments are provided for making the necessary measurements called for in standard testing. Several engines are used for study purposes.
The flow of fluids laboratory makes provisions for the study of the flow characteristics of steam, air and liquids. Instruments used in measuring the flow of fluids are examined and tested. Steam nozzles and orifices are attached to a condenser for steam flow tests. A forced draft fan and a two-stage air compressor provide air for the investigation of the flow in ducts, nozzles, orifices and general air machines. A small wind-tunnel permits the examination of air flow around small models. The loss of head in pipes, fittings and valves can be tested.
The hydraulic division contains centrifugal and reciprocating pumps, an open flow channel, weirs, nozzles, orifices, weighing tanks and meters. Hydraulic machines are tested. The friction loss in pipes and fittings is examined.
The fuel and oil section of the laboratory is equipped to make the various standard test of these materials. This includes calorimeters, viscosimeters, flash and fire point testers, distillation outfit and flue-gas analysis equipment. A lubarometer is used to test the coefficient of friction of lubricating oils and to study the effects of various bearing metals.
The metallographic and heat treatment laboratories are equipped with gas and electric furnaces, each with temperature measuring instruments, for the melting and heat treatment of metals. Microscopes, both visual and photographic, are used for the examination of metal structures. Grinding and polishing machines are provided for the preparation of specimens.
The machine tool section of the laboratory is equipped with lathes, milling machines, shapers, grinders, gas welding outfit and the usual small tools required for metal cutting. While the major part of the machine shop instruction is given in connection with the co-operative industrial work, this laboratory is used to demonstrate shop practice and machine tool methods in general.
The test work in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory is designed to familiarize the student with the construction details, features of operation, methods of control and the comparative merits of the various machines. The student is taught to operate these machines in the safest possible manner and test them along the lines adopted by the various professional engineering societies.