To,

The Controller of Examination

APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University

CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram

From,

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Sub: Regarding the examination of ME 304: Dynamics of Machinery held on 30/04/2018

Sir,

Most of the students were unable to perform well in the examination of the ME 304:
Dynamics of Machinery, held on 30/04/2018. Because 90% of the questions were
numerical only, this can be answered by an above average student only. Moreover
there was so many theory and applications within the syllabus, which a student must
know. Unfortunately there were no such questions regarding the same.

All numerical asked were time consuming and seems difficult to get the final
solutions. Out of 14 questions there were only 4 – 5 direct questions. The details of
each question are attached with this letter. For an average student, it’s hard to score
above 50%.

So kindly take necessary actions to avoid a mass failure.

Yours Faithfully
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS OF EACH QUESTIONS REGARDING
SIXTH SEMESTER B. TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION HELD ON
30/04/2018

ME 304: DYNAMICS OF MACHINERY

PART A

1. A slider crank mechanism was given with an offset and it was asked to consider the
sliding friction effect on the determination of input torque. In syllabus, only four bar
mechanism is mentioned, no mention regarding offset. Since this topic was vast, most
probably no body will cover this portion. Moreover, there are no details about how to
solve these problems in any of the references mentioned in syllabus.
2. Matrix method is not clearly stated in any of the text books prescribed in the syllabus.
Some may teach the usual algebraic method/vector approach as matrix method which
is not same as that of the matrix method.
3. Force analysis on gears is in syllabus. But there is no mention regarding the numerical
problems. It is included in second module, which in turn is a vast module.
4. Even the acceleration is given in question; it takes a lot of time to finish the dynamic
analysis.
All questions were numerical only, there were no theory questions. Only the
difficult portions came as numerical which cannot be completed within the
prescribed time period as each questions were vast.
PART B
5. In syllabus it was mentioned about flywheel analysis only. But the problem came was
an application of flywheel which was not able to cover because the rest of the module
contain vast topics. Usually all will teach the basics of these portions. Hence this can
be considered as an Out of Syllabus question.
6. Direct question only, if the student took the plane of mass B as reference plane then
he/she may be able to complete it with usual methods.
7. Usually the effect of gyroscopic couple has to be determined. In this question effect
was given and asked to find out the couple. Only above average student can answer
this question.
8. Direct question only.
 PART C

9. Direct problem only.

10. Direct problem only.
11. Direct problem only.
12. Critical speed can be determined easily. But the amplitude of steady state vibration is
hard to find out from these datas.
13. Only “introduction to torsional vibrations” is mentioned in syllabus. No detailed
description – hence most of the teachers won’t take the torsional vibrations of geared
system in class rooms.
14. Seismometer - was direct question only.
Vibration pickups which are, of-course an out of syllabus question only.