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
• 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 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.

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

1. Plan and manage the design process, including cost drivers, evaluating outcomes, and working with technical uncertainty.
2. Ability to apply relevant practical and laboratory skills.

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimise solutions
2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
3. Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others
4. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader