Lean Six Sigma Principles In Capstone Aeronautical Engineering Technology Courses

Abstract

The Aeronautical Engineering Technology program has senior level capstone courses that integrate knowledge gained through undergraduate courses. Three of these capstone courses require the students to plan, design, build, test, and implement product or process improvements. Faculty members have designed these courses in the curriculum to focus students on product design and process improvement. The courses use Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology and techniques as a structured approach to problem-solving, product design, and process improvement. This combination of design project experience and LSS knowledge is an advantage for graduates seeking careers in aerospace and aviation, as the LSS methodology is widely used across multiple disciplines to achieve dramatic performance improvements. Many aeronautical engineering technology graduates apply for jobs at major aircraft manufacturers. LSS is one of many valuable skills valued to meet the challenge of filling the gap between engineering, manufacturing, and support. In addition to manufacturing liaison and field engineering positions, these graduates may be hired for positions in scheduling, tooling, design, or purchasing. To better prepare students for these careers, three new courses were developed for capstone design where the students learn and use problem-solving methods and techniques that help them understand the design and improvement of products and processes. Specifically, the courses use two major Lean Six Sigma methodologies: DMAIC and DMEDI. DMAIC is a methodology for process or product improvement with five phases: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. DMEDI is a methodology for process or product design with five phases: Define, Measure, Explore, Develop, and Implement. Both of these LSS methodologies emphasize a data-driven approach to improving processes and the products delivered to customers through reducing waste, reducing variability, and improving speed. This paper discusses the relevance of these methodologies and the implementation in the capstone courses.