Introductory description

Mechanical Engineering Group Design

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.

Projects will vary in nature. Some will be ‘design and make’ type projects. In this case small unit manufacture of prototype solutions may be possible and if required will be specified as part of the project briefing. Other projects will be more focussed on design and proof of concept stage, and might include no realization of the design in a physical form. Yet more projects may be evaluation exercises using proprietary software. Others may be restoration or re-commissioning projects, whilst others will be design evolutions of high-technology / high-complexity systems.

In each case the project will normally involve groups of 6. Projects may have industrial backing or a ‘customer’ where possible or at least be able to demonstrate application.

Students will be encouraged assume the positions of design engineers, development engineers, production engineers, test engineers, project managers, etc. in the delivery of the project. Each student will have to interact with other disciplines and hence appreciate the complexities of complete systems from both the technical and organisational point of view. This will develop the student engineer’s ability to think and communicate in terms of integrated systems.

Member(s) of staff will provide guidance on technical and organisational matters. Regular meetings take place with minutes recorded by individuals in logbooks to provide a record of decisions and actions between meetings/seminars.

Learning outcomes

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

• Create and develop a product, process or system to solve a complex Mechanical Engineering problem and overcome technical challenges by integrating existing and new technical knowledge and experience to produce an innovative solution to the satisfaction of a customer/end user. [M1, M3, M6]
• Critically evaluate relevant data (including incomplete and uncertain data) so as to apply engineering analysis and advanced problem solving skills in order to quantify the impact of these findings on the solution and, using theory or research, to mitigate deficiencies. [M2, M3, M6]
• Evaluate environmental and societal impact of design solutions (to include the entire life cycle of the product or process) and minimise adverse affects. [M7]
• Consider the wider context of the project, including risk, health and safety, ethics, environmental and sustainability limitations, intellectual property rights, codes of practice and standards, product safety and liability(as appropriate), to inform the project solution. [M5, M15]
• Plan and manage a project from the design process to a deliverable outcome, including managing a budget and costs, and understand the commercial, economic and social environment of the project. [M5]
• Demonstrate effective communication, both verbal and written, to a technical and non-technical audience. [M17]
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team to achieve shared objectives and project management goals within the scope of the project, then monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis. [M16]

Research element

Research purposes: research goals and questions;
Hypotheis and assumption: paradigm perspective, methodological choice, validity and credibility;
Design procedures: conceptual design, theoretical modeling and analysis, and fabrication;
Research outocmes: synthesis of conculsions and inferences.

Subject specific skills

1. Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process;
2. Ability to develop economically viable and ethically sound sustainable solutions;
3. Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality;
4. Ability to seek to achieve sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative and innovative;
5. Ability to be risk, cost and value-conscious, and aware of their ethical, social, cultural, environmental, health and safety, and wider professional engineering responsibilities;

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize 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. Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD;
5. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader;
6. Awareness of the nature of business and enterprise in the creation of economic and social value;
7. Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner;
8. Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with an ethical issue;
9. Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication;
10. Be professional in their outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches.