Faculty Research Interests

There are currently several research projects in progress at the Industrial Engineering and Management Systems department.  Read more about our faculty research expertise here.

Research Labs

Product Lifecycle Engineering
This laboratory is to provide research support of computational applications in industrial and systems engineering, particularly in the areas of product lifecycle engineering and management. There are one server equipped with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 processor, 2TB 3.0Gb/s hard drive, and GeForce 8800GTS x16 GPU video card; four Dell Optiplex 320 desktop workstations; and two Dell Latitude laptop computers. In addition to Microsoft Office Suite, these machines have the commonly used engineering software installed, such as Solidworks, Minitab, Matlab, WebSphere, Visual Studio 6.0, Java NetBeans, and Visio 2000.
Location: ENG2-323

Advanced Simulation
The Advanced Simulation Lab at the University of Central Florida aims to make the best use of the latest advancements in simulation theory and practice in real life full-scale applications.

The lab currently serves two purposes: a teaching lab for graduate and under-graduate courses on Simulation modeling and analysis, and also, a work center for several projects. The lab is equipped with the latest computing facilities in terms of nine top-of-class computers (P4 1.7 GH, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB HD, CD, Floppy and Zip, one of the computers has also a CD writer and DVD player). Other facilities include a white board, seating for up to 23 people,13 tables and a multimedia projector. In terms of software, the followings are currently installed: MS Office 2000, MS Visio 2000, MS Project 2000, Adobe Acrobat 5, Arena 5 (Academic and Professional editions), Minitab 12, SPSS 10, MS Visual Studio 6, MATLAB and MATHCAD 2000. Other software will be installed as needed.
Location: ENG2-311
Phone: (407) 823-4694
Contact: Dr. Mansooreh Mollaghasemi
Research assistant: Ali Ahmad

Engine Research
The Engine Research Laboratory is housed in a 3200 sq. ft stand alone building. The lab houses a climate controlled dynamometer control room, and an engine build room. In addition, the lab has a high bay with a chassis dynamometer and an engine dynamometer room with 2 engine dynos, a Stuska brake and a SuperFlow 901. The laboratory also has a 300 hp motoring dyno donated by Smokey Yunick, which is capable of driving a Winston Cup engine to 9000 rpm. Laboratory equipment also includes in-cylinder pressure measurement transducers and data acquisition as well as a complete LabView system. The lab has a complete set of hand tools and the necessary metrology equipment to make critical measurements during engine assembly. The research engines include high performance Chevrolets as well as a Ford Winston Cup engine and two Chevy Winston Cup Engines.

Location: ERL-101

Ergonomics
The Ergonomics Laboratory is 506 square feet and designed and equipped to support classroom instruction of both undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of Ergonomics. Currently the classes supported by this laboratory include:

• Human Engineering
  
• Ergonomics
  
• Work Physiology
  
• Biomechanics
  
• Industrial Hygiene
  
• Safety Engineering

The major pieces of equipment instrumentation in this laboratory include:

• Computerized Physiological Monitoring System that will simultaneously monitor and collect data on 8 physiological parameters of humans,
• NCV meters and Vibrometry meters for assessing cumulative trauma disorders,
  
• Occupational skills Assessment testing Battery,
  
• Anthropometry Measurement Devices,
  
• Environmental Testing Devices for measuring illumination, vibration, sound, and temperature;
  
• Software tools for Modeling Human Actions/Behavior.

This lab is also equipped with a shower and a locker room for any experiments involving human subjects. In addition, the laboratory supports research activities in the Ergonomics area.
Location: ENG2-314
Contact: Dr. Gene Lee

Harris Computer
Harris Computer Laboratory is housed in ENG2- 201 and occupies 2730 sq.ft. It is the primary computing facility for all engineering students. This facility houses 100 Dell PC systems with 1 GHz processors.

Interactive Simulation Systems
The Interactive Simulation Systems Laboratory provides the capability to develop and conduct research in PC-based interactive simulation. The lab is equipped with eight PC workstations all with 19" or 20" monitors. Six of the stations (three Intergraph GL1's, two Intergraph GL 2's, and one Dell Dimension 8100) are equipped in single monitor configuration. Two stations (Intergraph GT1 and Intergraph GX1) are equipped for three monitors and Joysticks. On a reoccurring basis, all computers host the Blender Interactive Simulation development software and runtime environment. This software supports student research related to instruction received in EIN5255C, Interactive Simulation course. Additionally, all computers host the SOAR Intelligent Agent development software. This software supports student research related to instruction received in EIN6645. Finally, numerous additional software packages have been hosted on these systems. The three monitor stations provide the capability of achieve 120 degrees of visualization thus enabling a limited level of flight simulation.

Location: ENG2-117A
Contact: Dr. Michael Proctor

Manufacturing Development
The manufacturing laboratory occupies over 6000 square feet. This facility is used by multiple courses including EIN 4391C, EIN 4411, and EIN 5607C. In addition the lab is used by clubs, such as SME and SAE, and also produces specialized research equipment. Major equipment in the laboratory includes: CMM, CNC Lathes, CNC Mills, Knee Mills, Lathes, Band Saws, Acra 10" Cold Saw, Drill Press, Surface Grinders, Benchtop Injection Molding, Hydraulic Press, Full Range of Calipers and Micrometers, 2 PC based cad stations.

Location: ENG2-101
Contact: Dr. Robert Hoekstra

Precision Metrology/Quality Engineering
The Precision Metrology/Quality Engineering Laboratory occupies 816 square feet and is located in Room 114 in the Engineering Building II.Current laboratory instrumentation include: Digital Calipers, Digital Indicators, Digital Height Gauge, Digital Micrometers, Block Gauges, Surface Plates, Several Other Micrometers & Calipers, Digital Bench Micrometers, SPC Software Package with Interface & Multiplexer, Measuring Projector, SurfTest Surface Roughness Measuring Instrument, MicroVal CMM Measurement System, FARO Arm Coordinate Measuring system. Lab web site

Location: ENG2-114
Contact: Dr. Ahmad Elshennawy

Rapid Prototyping
The Rapid Prototyping laboratory provides direct support to the course EGN 5858C, Introduction to Rapid Prototyping, which is available for qualified undergraduate students as a technical elective. It provides incidental support to such courses as EIN 4891:Senior Design Class, and EIN 4391 Manufacturing Engineering from IEMS, EAS 4700C/4710 C, Aerospace Design I and II,EML 4535C, Computer-AidedDesign. EML 4501C/4502C Engineering Design I and II, EML 3500 Machine Design,and EML 5532C CAD/CAM from MMAE.

Location: ENG2-112
Phone: (407) 823-6406

Senior Design
The IEMS Senior Design lab was created in 2001 as an integral part of the IEMS complex in the new Engineering 2 Building. The 700 square foot lab is designed and equipped to support sustained, 2 semester, industry based Senior Design projects for a maximum of 8 student teams. Each team is provided the following: A worktable that will seat a maximum of 5 students, A desktop PC configured to handle typical project computing needs, and a locker space. The PC is equipped with MS Office software, Arena, ProModel and Quest simulation software, AutoCAD and Visio drafting software and various other software as required to support unique project efforts. The PCs are networked and provide full access to the Internet.

Location: ENG2-321

Sythetic Environment Learning
The Synthetic Environment Learning Laboratoy (SELL) provides both the physical facilities and know-how to communicate, develop, instruct, conduct research and promote the use of synthetic environment technologies for improving human performance and for economic development through problem solving. The laboratory supports and augments existing simulation and modeling programs within the university by providing physical devices and software technologies relevant to the design, development and application of synthetic environments. Various technologies for creating virtual environments and the illusion of real and abstract systems are available for integration into existing curriculum.

Location: ENG2- 326
Contact: Dr. Kent Williams

Virtual Environment and Usability
The Virtual Environment (VE) laboratory in the Industrial Engineering & Management Systems (IEMS) Department at the University of Central Florida was founded in 1995 with seed funds from the University of Central Florida. Since that time the VE lab has grown rapidly and has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Office of Naval Research, as well as receiving industry support. The VE Laboratory is equipped with computer hardware,software, and VE peripheral devices. In August of 2001, the VE laboratory moved to new facilities in the new Engineering II building on the campus of the University of Central Florida and thus provides ready access to the student participant population.

Location: ENG2-315
Phone: (407) 823-4689

Work Measurement/Facilities
The Work Measurement/Facilities lab is utilized for laboratory assignments in EIN3314C and EIN4364C. It is equipped with five P2-400 desktop machines that contain the standard departmental software plus MOST, FactoryFlow, FactoryPlan, FactoryCAD and JACK. This includes one computer that is linked to a video projection system for use in teaching, demonstrating and utilizing video tapes/CDs for work sampling and time study practice. The lab is also equipped with work measurement tools such as 10-stopwatch time study boards, 10-digital time study boards, 1- Devilbiss random beeper, 1-Dolphin 7400 handheld computer data collection device, and 1-Workstudy+ 2.0 palm pilot data capture system.

Location: ENG2-313