Design Engineering – BTech (Hons)

The aim of this module is to introduce the learner to creativity and the process of generating ideas and presenting them professionally. The learner is immersed in the systematic process of ideation; generating ideas, developing idea variations, and identifying good ideas that point to promising creative directions.

This module aims to provide critical knowledge of contemporary theories examining the relationship between technology and the evolution of society. It provides students with conceptual tools and theoretical frameworks to explore how technology shapes society and equally how society shapes technology.

A strong knowledge of engineering materials is essential for a manufacturing engineer when designing, manufacturing and analysing a product. The module is primarily concerned with the structure-processing-property relationship of engineering materials with an introduction to the four main categories of materials Polymers, Metals, Ceramics/Glasses, Composite.

The overall aim of this module is to introduce students to drawing, machining and safety. The module provides the student with the skills needed to draw, read and interpret engineering drawings. The students are introduced to CAD software to produce drawing templates. The module provides the student with the skills and knowledge of current standards in engineering drafting practice in both manual and computer aided drawing. The workshop component develops safety skills, safety awareness, machine tool milling and turning skills and assembly of engineering components.

This module introduces students to the foundational mathematical knowledge and reasoning required to liberate its investigative, predictive, and confirmatory power. The module will develop foundational mathematical knowledge, skills, and understanding needed for contextual application in the field of engineering.
The module will further develop a flexible way of thinking that can support focused, disciplined enquiry. Mathematical proficiency will be developed through practical application cases that are mediated through project and problem-based learning activities.

The module aims to broaden the experience and skill-set of the learner to include knowledge of, and competence with, user-centred design principles with service and product design development, with a focus on human factors, usability and ergonomics. This module will equip the learner with the essential skills and practice in a range of usability techniques, and the knowledge to conduct usability studies.

Robotic systems are becoming progressively more important in many domains due to an increasing range of practical applications, While the manufacturing industry is probably the most well-known user of robots, they are also as a vital component of the next generation of automation and transport industries, service industry, smart distributed environments and wireless sensor networks. This module introduces learners to key concepts in the robotic domain: electronics, mechanics, and software necessary to control a robotic device. Learners will program intermediary systems to interface between real world transducers and a human interface.

The aim of this module is to introduce the learner to prototyping, interactive systems environment and human-centred applications that employ basic digital electronics components and circuits. Learners build systems using micro-controllers and software tools.The learner will also design and build models both physically and electronically. The learner will extend their knowledge of materials. Provides hands-on experience in a project-based, lab environment.

In this module students experience hands on safe mechanical workshop practices. The importance of safety within a workshop environment. A knowledge of machine tools associated with workshop practices. The module provides students with the skills and the knowledge of current standards in engineering draughting practice in computer-aided design. Students ability to problem solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning are central to this module.

This module will introduce to the student to the basic concepts of engineering mechanics related to simple engineering systems. It will broaden the student’s knowledge of the basic principles that are fundamental to mechanical engineering design and the operation of mechanical systems.

This module will explore the process of designing parts, components and/or products with an end goal of optimising the design for efficient and economical production or manufacturing of the final design. The module will draw upon the theories of product design and engineering design to engage the students in a cross-functional process that will challenge their thinking under the DFM principles of Process, Design, Materials, Environment and Compliance.

To provide the student with the knowledge of more advanced 2D and 3D Cad techniques to enable the student to create parts, assemblies and fully dimensioned orthographic drawings. To provide the student with the knowledge to run a simple static finite element analysis simulation.

The aim of this module is to introduce the basic theoretical and practical concepts of engineering systems design. It lays the fundamentals of a wide range of design-related activities. The module describes the major structure of design activity, highlighting the main stages of the design process, their significance, characteristics, requirements and methods of evaluation. The module describes both product and process design, with practical emphasis on important modern problems, such as design for energy efficiency, design for low environmental impact and design for high reliability and safety.

In this module, the learner will apply the various user-centred design methods, tools, and techniques to the design of a complex system, product or service. This will be based on sound understanding of the nature/behaviours of the complex systems and services as well as the human in which they interact.

This module builds on the students understanding of materials and processes and the skills associated with workshop practices used in the mechanical engineering industry. It also further develops the students’ skills and knowledge of current standards in draughting practice through solid modeling and the production of detailed engineering drawings of models and assemblies. Particular attention is paid to developing the students approach to project based learning where certain teaching and learning activities are employed to develop the students’ ability to problem solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning.

The development of robotic systems by multiple manufacturers has led to an array of robot types and programming languages. Each have created their own method of communication and operation. The same has occurred with vision systems as used for component checking, bin picking and robot guidance. This module will build on the knowledge developed in Introduction to Robotics (TECH6006) and introduce vision and manufacturer specific programming environments.

This module enables the learner to mix theoretical and practical considerations with exercises in user centred research through to a prototype. This module utilises a collaborative project approach to simulate real-world project teams. The learners will be divided into teams to validate and produce the prototype. Through the module, the learner will encounter different types of prototyping and the compromises required in prototyping.

Design Engineering Innovation 2 builds on the concepts developed Design Engineering Innovation 1. This module progresses the design stage to include functions that build on the basic theoretical and practical concepts of engineering systems design. It lays the fundamentals of a wide range of design-related activities. The module describes the major structure of design activity, highlighting the main stages of the design process, their significance, characteristics, requirements and methods of evaluation. The module describes both product and process design, with practical emphasis on important modern problems, such as design for energy efficiency, design for low environmental impact, sustainability and design for high reliability and safety.

• To revise the skills learned in Year 1 Electronic workshop practice
• To enable the student to develop the basic skills needed to manufacture and test a printed circuit board which was designed in Computer Aided Design
• To develop the student’s ability to produce a technical report.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with systematic, practical skills via a structured introduction to employment in the area of Design, Innovation and Technology. On completion of the module the learner will gain valuable experience of the culture, nature and structure of a working environment. The learner will develop competencies that will allow them to evaluate and critically reflect on the upcoming work placement in addition to their role and contribution to it.

Introduction to Processes associated with advanced manufacturing; Additive Manufacturing (FDM, SLA, SLS), Laser cutting technologies, CNC machining (turning, milling), Water jet cutting. The module will place an emphasis on enabling further design capabilities through the utility of advanced processes and further perspectives as to how advanced technologies are integrated into contemporary Industry 4.0 related practices.

The successful alignment and integrated implementation of all analytical and computational techniques resulting in a more streamlined engineering design/manufacturing process with reduced costs, decreased development time and improved quality through the efficient usage and application of computational engines and appropriate industrail relevant sofwares

This module is designed to cover the challenges and issues underpinning Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management. It aims to develop the students’ innovative and creative thinking processes, their understanding of the necessity for change, the extent to which change yields real improvement and sustainable growth, the alternative methods and processes which may be utilized to effect improvement and sustainability, and how to manage a change-related project for maximum benefit and sustainability. The key focus of the module will be on internal ‘Operations’ and external Supply Chain interfaces underpinning Sustainability.

The advent of the ‘smart factory’ era where, the evolution of industry 4.0 has led to computers and automation blending together via cyber- physical systems to monitor and control the physical operations of the factory, provide advanced process data and drive de-centralised decision-making, The aim of this module is to enable the learner to apply suitable manufacturing automation strategies and technology in the industrial environment including the configuration, operation, and programming of integrated automation cells.

The learner will participate in a ‘live’ collaborative project (with industry-partners) that will showcase their design sensibilities. This contribution takes the learner’s project out of the teaching environment and places it in actuality. It builds their portfolio and gives it credibility.

Preparing for a ‘live brief’ forces the learner to organise, analyse, document, create and articulate their design value and message in addressing current industry problems. Exposure to local, national or international design challenges provides opportunities for emerging professionals to be recognised for their overall holistic approach to problem-solving. Such recognition can help gain the attention of potential employers.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with systematic practical training via a structured introduction to employment in the area of Design, Innovation and Technology. The learner will gain valuable experience of the culture, nature and structure of a working environment in the field. Each learner will be placed in a workplace environment relevant to their field of study. The learner will develop key competencies, evaluate and critically reflect on the workplace in addition to their role and contribution to it. However, should a placement not be obtained, a suitable industry project will be provided.

This module gives the student an introduction to the field of integrating electronics, sensors and instrumentation with the internet. Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have become extremely relevant and increasingly important in manufacturing for a multitude of reasons. It helps manufacturers with current challenges by giving greater connectivity of their machines, greater operational insight into the process, makes reacting to changes in the manufacturing process easier, faster and more efficient and allows greater product traceability.

Introduction to Lean Sigma Quality aims to provide learners with an understanding of the tools and techniques of quality that are used in the attainment of a Six Sigma quality environment. The principal goal of Six Sigma is to reduce variation in the process and improve quality. This module is also designed to meet the requirements of the Six Sigma Yellow belt award. Through practical examples and exercises learners will become proficient in the use of the basic problem-solving techniques used to monitor and control processes. Topics include: Six Sigma Quality, DMAIC Process, Seven Traditional Tools of Quality, Qualitative Tools, Lean Principles and Process Management.

This module aims to provide the learner with an authentic experience of applying the ‘conceive’ and ‘design’ phases of the structured CDIO framework in context. Moving from a theoretical position to an applied model, the learner will engage with a problem space they have identified in a working environment.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with systematic practical training via a structured introduction to employment in the area of Design, Innovation and Technology. The learner will gain valuable experience of the culture, nature and structure of a working environment in the field. Each learner will be placed in a workplace environment relevant to their field of study.

This module offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection of design economics, technology transfer, and intellectual property rights. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to strategically manage innovation, protect intellectual property, and maximise the economic value of design and technology. Through case studies and practical exercises, students will develop a deep understanding of the economic and legal aspects of innovation and design.

This module builds on the foundations laid in the ‘Capstone Industry Project 2.1’. It aims to further enhance the authentic experience and application of the structured CDIO framework through the ‘implement’ and ‘operate’ phases. Learners will be afforded the opportunity to apply both their design sensibilities and engineering skills in the implementation of their industry-specific solution.

The aim of this module is to develop the design engineer as a potential entrepreneur. It will develop the practical and creative skills necessary for effective self-promotion and business planning.

The Broadening module is included to give the students the opportunity to engage in a relevant ‘out-of-field’ area of study. The module selection is motivated by the students’ need for insight into a discipline area where their design competency may have application or the area may provide a future application case that the student is interested in persuing. Informed by their industrial experience and capstone focus, this module may serve as a gap analysis in a specialist area that the student wants to develop.