Introductory description

ES3C2-15 Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Design project process: requirements, specifications, assumptions and delivery.
2. Design analysis - FMEA.
3. Detailed component design – including fixings and fits and tolerances
4. Effective use of computer-based simulation for design optimisation
5. Design for manufacture - including material choice and manufacturing method selection
6. Machining processes
7. Prime movers
8. Mechanisms - including gearing and transmissions
9. Coupling mechanical and electronic/electrical systems
10. Justification of design decisions
11. Clear and concise technical communication
12. Evaluation of success and understanding basic types of risk associated with mechanical design and manufacturing.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Evaluate and apply suitable constraints to systematically manage and progress a complex design task, with due regard to technical uncertainty and the need to proceed with incomplete information.
• Choose appropriate components, assemblies, and configurations, and apply suitable design and analysis techniques to make judgements on key dimension and material choices and model solutions.
• Make judgements on the accuracy of analytical and numerical models, and use these to inform design choices
• Use modern CAD, analysis, and optimisation tools to demonstrate robust designs of machine elements and assemblies, selecting analytical models of suitable precision to progress the solution.
• Critique a design using methods such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, analysing the effects of uncertainty in design, and considering the effect of safety factors to identify workable improvements.
• Design mechanical components and assemblies with a full and achievable plan for how they can be manufactured with a focus on selecting appropriate manufacturing processes, ease of manufacture and efficiency of assembly.
• Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate broadly-defined problems.
• Design solutions for broadly-defined problems that meet a combination of user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal and environmental matters, codes of practice and industry standards.
• Balance the needs of all stakeholders whilst acknowledging the need for inclusivity and ethical design principles.
• Work efficiently within a small team to manage and plan a sequence of work both on an individual and team level.
• Communicate effectively with team members.
• Produce professional group-based documents and design documentation. 

Indicative reading list

• Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design 10th edition, Budynas and Nisbett, McGraw-Hill
  higher Education, 2014.
• Shigley, J.E. Uicker, J.J. Theory of machines and mechanisms, McGraw-Hill Education, 2016.
• Pahl, G., Beitz, W. Engineering Design, a systematic approach, 3rd Ed. Springer-Verlag, 2006.
• Design of Machinery: an Introduction to the Synthesis and Analysis of Mechanisms and
  Machines, Norton, RL, 5th edition (McGraw Hill 2012).
• French, M.J. Form, Structure and Mechanism, Palgrave Macmillan, 1992
• French, M.J. Conceptual Design for Engineers, Springer-Verlag UK, 1998

Subject specific skills

TBC

Transferable skills

TBC