Advanced Engineering Design MSc

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The Advanced Engineering Design MSc has been developed to produce design engineers who can meet these demands. It contains six taught modules where advanced multi-disciplinary theory is taught. As part of the course, six engineering software packages are also taught. In order to give an integrating application experience in an industrial setup, 'Design Experience', a group project module with an industry, has been included as part of the curriculum.

The dissertation is aimed at providing training in carrying out an in-depth engineering task on a self-learning basis. By the end of the course you will become a confident design engineer equipped with high quality and advanced knowledge and skills to work on design tasks in an advanced computer assisted environment.

Sustainable Design and Manufacture

Students will be taught methodologies for assessment sustainability of a product design, and methodologies for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing procedures and operations. The module has a practical orientation, and at the same time offers common analytical tools for assessment to be used in the design and manufacturing environment.

Manufacturing Systems Design and Economics

This module looks at advanced aspects of:

• Manufacturing processes including description, analysis and classification of basic manufacturing processesprocess capabilities, recent advances and developments, assembly systems, automation, robotics and CNC machines, CAD/CAM application
• Production operations including plant layout, group technology, cellular manufacturing and flexible manufacturing systems. Lean manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, KANBAN, JIT, 5S, seven wastes, Poke Yoke, Value Chain, supply chain management and outsourcing and design reuse. Inventory control and MRP, and quality control
• Design for manufacture and process selection: including the relationship between design features and process capabilities, manufacturing system selection to produce a given design
• Economics for manufacture including inventory costing, economic order quantities, costing machine tool selection and cost of production strategy.

In this module students will be taught:

• How to constitute entities of physical object, points, edges, surfaces and solids which are modelled for CAE, and the skills to implement them using a contemporary CAE software to create a computer model of a part, or assembly (Pro/Engineer, CATIA, Solidworks)
• Theory and useful applications of computer models in mechanism synthesis and analysis using a contemporary CAE packages [MATLAB, SIMULINK].

This module covers:

• advanced theory in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Structural Design
• useful application of the FEA modelling thermal or electrostatic or electromagnetic fields and use of contemporary CAE packages like Pro/Mechanica, ANSYS, ABAQUS.

This is a module over two terms where students will learn and experience:

• the design of a multidisciplinary product or system in a manufacturing environment
• skills in project planning, management and execution as a team member
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• how to acquire knowledge on self learning basis.

The module is normally based on projects taken from industrial partners and with direct practical implementation of the results.

Dissertation Project

Following the taught part of the programme and reflecting individual interests, the dissertation is an in-depth study of a manufacturing problem or situation, requiring a high standard of investigation and presentation. The analysis of a ‘real’ problem is expected, frequently involving a company or workplace. Close liaison between you, the University and company is essential when selecting a topic which has a suitable academic content and an appropriate scope, relevance and timescale. Some students may wish their dissertations to be considered by the Chartered Engineering Institutions to satisfy requirements for corporate membership. In this case, a further set of criteria will have to be satisfied and you should contact the appropriate institute on the best way to proceed.

Advanced Manufacturing Measurement

This module aims to provide in-depth knowledge of the theories and principles of advanced measurement systems (including micro/nano metrologies) and develop the practical skills of uncertainty evaluation and error analysis/reduction of measurement systems. The topics covered include basics of measurementmeasurement error theory and uncertainty evaluationcoordinate measuring machinesindustrial non-contact dimensional metrologysurface metrology (stylus and optical instrumentsprofile and areal characterisationcalibration)scanning probe microscopy (SPM, including STM, AFM, EFM, KFPM, etc.) and their applicationsand low force and mass measurement.

Human Factors in Design

In this module you will:

• Develop an understanding of the physical characteristics of humans
• Learn to use the main qualitative and analytical methods of human-centred design
• Appreciate the application of human-centered design techniques using examples from the automotive, electronic and consumer product industries
• Acquire skills in multidisciplinary thinking and multidisciplinary design practice.

The module provides understanding and critical awareness of designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. You will learn about a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and develop an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand. You will be able to:

• understand the criticality and importance of automation and robotics in the modern industrial environment, and will also understand the issues and differences in automation practices between discrete and process industries.
• apply current technical knowledge in, and operating a modern manufacturing system, as well as critically analyse manufacturing systems and specify select suitable approaches for control, and to evaluate and justify an automated system.

In this module you will be taught how to:

• Integrate mechanical, electronic and control functions
• Critically analyse and use mechatronic design concepts
• Apply multiple discipline expertise in an integrating mechatronic process and use advanced software to simulate power electronic circuits (PSPICE).

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