This paper reports our ongoing effort in developing a new instructional model to improve cognitive learning and student motivation in undergraduate manufacturing engineering education. In this model, a computer animation and simulation program is incorporated into hands-on real-world experiments. The paper describes the interactive computer program that we have developed for animating and simulating machining processes in an undergraduate machining course that we teach. A representative example of student projects is provided to demonstrate how computer simulation is employed in the new instructional model. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations are conducted to assess students' attitudes toward our computer program and if and how it helps students understand fundamental machining concepts and theories. The evaluation results show that the developed instructional model has a positive impact on enhancing and increasing students' cognitive learning of machining concepts and theories.