John L. Irwin

Contact

jlirwin@mtu.edu
906-487-2525
EERC 425A

Professor and Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
Affiliated Professor, Psychology and Human Factors
Director, Research and Innovation in STEAM Education Institute (RISE)

EdD, Curriculum and Instruction, Wayne State University
MS, Occupational Education, Ferris State University
BS, Technical Education, Ferris State University
AAS, Mechanical Design Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Biography

John Irwin is a professor and chair of the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Michigan Tech. His areas of expertise include jig, fixture, and gage design; the design and manufacture of environmental simulation chambers and A/C units for locomotives and mass-transit units; development of manufacturing workcell simulations, design and testing of residential axial flux alternator turbine systems, and development and training related to open source 3D printing technologies.

Irwin has been Principal Investigator on two Michigan Department of Education projects to improve teacher quality through the Educators’ Professional Development Institute Series, which focuses on topics in the physical sciences, and most recently was co-PI on an MDE project, serving as internal evaluator. In addition to advising the Delta Zeta Chapter of the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society, Irwin is an active member of several professional organizations: the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering, and the American Society of Engineering Educators—Engineering Technology Division and Engineering Design Graphics Division. Irwin is involved with the Greek community on campus, serving as the faculty advisor for the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.

Research Interests

Problem-based learning methods applied in the areas of CAD/CAM
Static and dynamic model simulation
Product and manufacturing work cell verification

Teaching Interests

Parametric Modeling
Statics and Strength of Materials
Product Design and Development
CAE and FEA Methods
Computer-aided Manufacturing
Senior Design

Recent Publications

2023. Irwin, J. L., Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MiLEAP) Industry Training. 2023 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration Collaborate, Communicate, and Innovate Engineering Education. Charleston, South Carolina: ASEE CIEC.

2022. Irwin, J. L., Johnson, M., Marzano, S. G., Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge Revision and Validation Process. 2022 ASEE Annual Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota: 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://peer.asee.org/41164.

2022. Irwin, J. L., Labyak, D. M., Wanless, D. D., Manufacturing Engineering Certificate and MS Degree for the Working Professional. ATMAE 2021 Conference Proceedings ( pp. 187-200). Orlando, Florida: ATMAE. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.atmae.org/resource/resmgr/2021_annual_conference/2021_atmae_conference_procee.pdf.

2022. Labyak, D. M., Irwin, J. L. Accepted Industry 4.0 Integration in a Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Certificate and MS Degree. Technology International Interface Journal (TIIJ).

2021. Johnson, K. M., Irwin, J. L., Preparation of MET Students for the NCEES FE Exam - Lessons Learned. In Philip D. Weinsier (Ed.), Technology Interface International Journal 21(2, Spring/Summer 2021), 35/5. Huron, Ohio: Bowling Green State University Firelands. http://tiij.org/issues/issues/spring2021/X__TIIJ%20spring%202021%20v21%20n2.pdf.

2021. Fox, P., Sorge, B., Gordon, M., Danielson, S., Land, R., Nettey, I. Richmond, Perry, T., Gaines, K., Irwin, J. L. Published What is the Future of Engineering Technology? Journal of Engineering Technology. ASEE.

2021. Fiss, L. K., Irwin, J. L., Tan, Y.-Y., S-STEM Student Reflections and IDP Process. 2021 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition. ASEE.

2021. Irwin, J. L., Johnson, K. M., Program Improvement Utilizing the SME CMfgT and NCEES FE Exam Results. 2020 ATMAE Annual Conference. ATMAE.

STEM Education Research Funding

Irwin, John L. (PI), "CTE Mechatronics 2023-24," Sponsored by Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), Amount Awarded: $40,000.00. Project Dates: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024. Date Submitted: May 24, 2023. (Awarded).

Irwin, John L. (PI), "CTE Mechatronics 2022-23," Sponsored by Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), Amount Awarded: $40,000.00. Project Dates: July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023. Date Submitted: June 22, 2022. (Awarded).

Worm, Jeremy J (Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "Michigan Tech Support of INVEST UP Regional Talent Innovation Project," Sponsored by InvestUP. Project Dates: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023. Date Submitted: May 6, 2021. (Pending WIP).

Irwin, John L. (PI), Worm, Jeremy J (Co-Principal), "Upper Peninsula Michigan Works Contractual Training for MiLEAP Project," Sponsored by Upper Peninsula Michigan Works, Amount Awarded: $123,406.00. Project Dates: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023. Date Submitted: May 6, 2021. (Awarded).

Irwin, John L. (PI), "MTU Fluid Power Training Group," Sponsored by Upper Peninsula Michigan Works, Amount Awarded: $16,800.00. Project Dates: July 25, 2022 - December 30, 2022. Date Submitted: July 25, 2022. (Awarded).

Irwin, John L. (PI), Fiss, Laura Kasson (Co-Principal), Alex Sergeyev (Co-Principal), Hembroff, Guy Charles (Co-Principal), "Engineering Technology Scholars - IMProving REtention and Student Success (ETS-IMPRESS)," Sponsored by National Science Foundation, Amount Awarded: $999,483.00. Project Dates: October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2024. Date Submitted: March 29, 2017. (Awarded).

Irwin, John L. (PI), "MTU Fluid Power Training Group - Going PRO Talent Fund," Sponsored by Upper Peninsula Michigan Works, Amount Awarded: $28,800.00. Project Dates: May 23, 2022 - July 1, 2022. Date Submitted: July 13, 2022. (Awarded).

Irwin, John L. (PI), "CTE Mechatronics 2021-22," Sponsored by Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), Amount Awarded: $40,000.00. Project Dates: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022. Date Submitted: July 20, 2021. (Closed).

Irwin, John L. (PI), "CTE Mechatronics," Sponsored by Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), Amount Awarded: $70,000.00. Project Dates: August 27, 2020 - June 11, 2021. Date Submitted: June 5, 2020. (Closed).

Funding for R&D and Student Design

Labyak, David Michael (Principal), Saleem, Ashraf (Co-Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "Whirlpool - Refrigerator Door Gasket Verification Fixture," Sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation, Amount Awarded: $108,509.00. Project Dates: August 2, 2021 - August 1, 2022. Date Submitted: July 16, 2021. (Awarded).

Johnson, Kevin Michael (Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "STUDENT DESIGN: Custom bicycle frame test fixture for fatigue testing," Sponsored by Equinox Bicycleworks and Engineering LLC, Amount Awarded: $8,500.00. Project Dates: August 30, 2021 - April 29, 2022. Date Submitted: August 25, 2021. (Closed).

Irwin, John L. (PI), Morgan, Christopher James (Co-Principal), Johnson, Kevin Michael (Co-Principal), "STUDENT DESIGN: Mobility Wheelchair Latch System," Sponsored by TeamTech Motorsports Safety Inc, Amount Awarded: $2,000.00. Project Dates: January 11, 2021 - December 17, 2021. Date Submitted: January 25, 2021. (Closed).

Wagner, Scott William (Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "STUDENT DESIGN: Kohler Engines Development Flow Bench," Sponsored by Kohler Co, Amount Awarded: $5,000.00. Project Dates: September 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021. Date Submitted: September 11, 2020. (Closed).

Labyak, David Michael (Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "STUDENT DESIGN: Extendo Telehandler Sensing," Sponsored by Balluff Inc, Amount Awarded: $2,500.00. Project Dates: August 27, 2020 - April 30, 2021. Date Submitted: September 15, 2020. (Closed).

Labyak, David Michael (Principal), Irwin, John L. (co-PI), "STUDENT DESIGN: Extendo Telehandler Sensing," Sponsored by Pettibone Traverse LLC, Amount Awarded: $1,500.00. Project Dates: August 24, 2020 - April 30, 2021. Date Submitted: September 17, 2020. (Closed).

Industrial Experience: 7+ Years

ICRC Engineering, TACOM/TARDEC
Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Company
Sigma Air Conditioning, Inc.
Thermotron Industries

Teaching Statement

Dr. Irwin teaches on topics of parametric modeling and product design and development.