This module will develop and reinforce the student's knowledge in the area of mechanical engineering design. More specifically students taking this module will learn key transferable skills which can be used for any mechancial engineering project. Students will be given the opportunity to conduct projects under the supervision of experienced facilitators. These projects will enable the learner to see how a large task can be broken down into manageable elements and help the student develop his/her ability to work both as a member of a technical design team and as an independent mechanical design engineer. In completing these projects students will be expected to develop technical communication skills and become practiced in researching technical problems. The projects undertaken will be chosen to ensure that students will need to consider and thus develop a consciousness of ethical and legal responsibility for safety.
Introduction to design process and methodologies
Product Design Specifications (PDS) and formulating a design problem statement
Drawings and geometric tolerancing
Team building and principles of project management
Design tools (Sketching, CAD, Approximating, FEA, FMEA, prototyping, etc)
The role of prototyping and analysis in the design process
Standards (Safety, design, CE marking, IP ratings, etc)
Review of mechanisms/machine components/manufacturing processes, etc
Using and programming of micro controllers (such as Arduinos or other as decided by lecturers)
Optimising designs for manufacture using the available workshop facilities
Writing and developing a project plan.
Scheduling and costing
Report production and presentation
