Product Design and Manufacture with Study Abroad MEng

Sketching; an essential skill for all Product Designers. This module will develop your sketching skills, taking you from the basics of drawing simple objects through to mastering drawing in perspective and constructing complex objects. We utilise modern and up to date technologies and as such the sketching which is taught and practised within this module will be digital and produced through the use of digital drawing devices! In this module you'll learn:

• Progressively learn to add detail to drawings.
• How to draw in 3-point perspective.
• How to draw quickly and neatly.
• To draw complex forms.
• How light and shade can explain complex forms. 
• Exercises to help develop an understanding and appreciation of form.

In this yearlong module you'll gain a deeper understanding of engineering design principles using practical project work. You'll learn CAD from the ground up, and by the end of the module you'll be well versed in the software.

Further you'll undertake practical workshops, where you'll learn how to use fundamental engineering machinery, which forms the basis of more advanced techniques you'll learn in higher level modules.

Topics covered include:

• Process of design supported by practical design activities
• Engineering drawing CAD solid modelling and drawing generation  
• Machine elements Group Design Project with Integrated Individual Element  
• Machine shop practical training 

Practising Product Designers are often referred to as a jack of all trades and a master of none; This module begins a series of modules which focus on the broader discipline of Industrial Design and many topics which influence the practice that Designers need to be well versed in to create appropriate solutions to problems! To support the learning of these topics, and to begin understanding the process of design in a little more depth, students who participate in this module will undertake a short design project.

Other topics covered include:

• History of Design.
• Impact on Popular Culture.
• Role of the Designer.
• Design Methodology.
• Ethical Responsibility.
• Graphical Skills.
• Photography.
• Portfolio Skills.
• Sustainability and Ecology.

A deep understanding of both materials and manufacturing techniques used to process these materials is essential for all product designers, to produce effective and commercially viable products. This year long module introduces students to the properties of materials, the main failure mechanisms which a designer will be concerned with (e.g overload, fracture, creep, fatigue) and core manufacturing methods used in engineering applications.

It includes the following topics:

• Role of materials and material properties in the design process.
• Selection and use of materials.
• Basic science underlying material properties Approaches to avoid failure of materials.
• Introduction to manufacturing in the UK.
• Casting, machining, moulding, forming, powder processing, heat treatment, surface finishing and assembly.
• Introduction into additive manufacturing an introduction to manufacturing metrology.

This module introduces a range of fundamental elementary mathematical techniques that can be applied to mechanical engineering, manufacturing and product design problems.

The aim of the module is to provide engineering students with a base in mathematical knowledge which can then be built on if required in subsequent years, however as a product design student this will be the only maths module you will undertake.

This module includes:

• The calculus of a single variable, extended to develop techniques used in analysing engineering problems
• Advanced differential and integral calculus of one variable
• First-order ordinary-differential equations
• Algebra of complex numbers
• Matrix algebra and its applications to systems of equations and eigenvalue problems
• Functions and their properties
• Vector spaces and their applications
• Vector calculus

The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental concepts and principles of solid mechanics and dynamics, and their applications to mechanical engineering systems. A wide range of engineering structures and mechanical components need to be designed to support static loads and as an engineer it is important to understand the way in which forces are transmitted through structures for efficient and safe design. This module includes:

• Static equilibrium: force and moment analysis in design; frictional forces.
• Stress, strain and elasticity.
• Bending stresses in beams.
• Relationship between angular and linear motion.
• Work, energy and power, including kinetic and potential energy.
• Geared systems.
• Static and dynamic balancing.

The aim of this module is to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills in design for manufacturing and manufacturing and product development. It covers design for manufacturability, design for assembly, rapid prototyping and manufacturing, jigs and fixtures, process planning and group technology and design for cost. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and three hours in practicals each week when studying this module.

Designers need to be able to communicate their thoughts and design work to a broad range of individuals, not limited to, Clients, Customers, Specialist Engineers, Advertising specialists, other designers etc. To achieve effective communication a broad range of skill sets, and techniques need to be understood and employed. The module will develop CAD skills and include content on surface modelling so that students are able to model almost any object with the appropriate level of detailing. Following on from this the module will introduce Keyshot, a software that allows the production of high-end realistic computer-generated images and animations to communicate designs.

• Solidworks Parametric Modelling
• Solidworks Surface Modelling
• Digital Sketching & Rendering
• Keyshot Photo realistic Rendering

Building on Industrial Design and Professional practice from the 1st year of the programme, the second module continues to explore the field of Industrial design in more depth. The first half of the module focuses on topics such as branding and marketing; an understanding of these practises can impact how/what we design into products. We then build on the knowledge of ecology and sustainability established in the first module, to understand the impact that our designs have, and how we can minimise our environmental impact. The module also takes a more advanced look into Engineering Drawings and teaches students how to review drawings and make necessary alterations based on feedback.  

• Branding and Marketing
• Company Structures
• Product Design Industry
• Supply Chains
• Sustainability: the facts
• Sustainability Design Tools
• Engineering Drawings 

This module seeks to develop an understanding of materials in design across a wide range of engineering applications. The module is arranged in 4 blocks covering designing with light alloys, polymers, composites, and functional materials. This covers important functional ceramics as well as other functional materials. Each block will explore the design requirements in detail of a particular case study followed by other examples, key material properties relevant to the engineering application, manipulation of the microstructure through processing and example calculations against failure of the product/component. This module will explore:

• Material Attributes
• Engineering Context
• Manufacturing of Material
• Production Processes
• Environmental Impact

This module will introduce ergonomics (human factors) encompassing different aspects of product design and other applications. The module will demonstrate why ergonomics input to design is important and will teach the practical application of user centred research methods, also covering research ethics and statistical methods to analyse results. Content covered includes:

 

• Task Analysis
• Anthropometric data and Understanding Humans
• Human Factors in Design
• Designing for Users
• User Based research methods
• Evaluation Methods
• Ethics in Design
• Emotional Design

This project involves 3 or 4 students working as a team to design a product from initial concept to fully engineered drawings. Starting from a design brief prepared by the supervisor, the group will be required to devise and evaluate alternative design concepts, undertake the detailed engineering analysis and mechanical design, select suitable materials and methods of manufacture and assess costs and the marketability of the product. 

Within this module we build on the materials and manufacturing knowledge developed within the first two years of the programme, with a particular focus on Polymers and the Injection moulding process; a heavily utilised manufacturing process by Product Designers. Consideration of part/component design for this manufacturing technique shall be explored in depth, and this shall be practiced in a design project that runs alongside this module. Later in the module other material and manufacturing areas will be looked at such as timber selection and metal casting.  

• Component design and optimisation for injection moulding
• Advanced Polymer selection
• Mold Flow Analysis within Solidworks
• Part costings
• Understanding mold design - core and cavity design
• Timber selection, production and manufacturing methods
• Metal selection and casting techniques

This module aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge and skills regarding the physical characteristics of people (body size, strength, flexibility, etc.) and environments (lighting, thermal, sound, etc.) as they relate to the design of products, workplaces and tasks/jobs. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week when studying this module.

This is a project based module for Product Design and Manufacture. The module comprises of two projects. Specifically; in the first project, students will further develop ‘People Centred Research’ skills to find creative approaches that are innovative. In the second project, students will work for a “client” presenting concepts for their client’s selection. You’ll spend 12 hours working practically each week when studying this module.

In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.

This module introduces the design, manufacture and performance of fibre-reinforced composite materials. 

Constituent materials including fibres, resins and additives are described. Processing techniques and the relationships between process and design are highlighted. Design methodologies and computer-aided engineering techniques are demonstrated for component design.

Case studies from a variety of industries including automotive and aerospace are presented.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	12 weeks	1 week	2 hours

 Method of Assessment:

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Exam 1	100.00	2 hour exam

This module is primarily intended for non-Business School students. This module aims to introduce the concept of marketing as an approach to business and to discuss the nature of marketing strategy. You’ll investigate the challenges of managing the marketing mix. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and one hour in a seminar each week when studying this module.

This module examines, in-depth, the processes used for joining metallic (e.g. steel, aluminium and titanium alloys) and non-metallic (e.g. polymers and fibre reinforced composites) materials. 

Topics covered include:

• mechanical joining
• adhesive bonding
• soldering and brazing
• solid state joining (friction welding and diffusion bonding)
• fusion welding (arc welding and the many classes thereof, resistance, electron beam and laser welding)

The fundamental characteristics of the various processes are examined along with procedures for practical applications. The origins of defects within joints and methods needed to control or eliminate them are also considered. The mechanical behaviour of joints is analysed, as is the effect of joining on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the base materials. Other features such as residual stress and distortion are addressed. Attention is also given to appropriate design for manufacture in a modern manufacturing context.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	12 weeks	1 week	2 hours

 Method of Assessment:

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Coursework 1	25.00	Case study review
Exam 1	75.00	1 hour 30 minute unseen written exam

This module covers the principles and practice relating to processing, structure and properties of engineering alloys. The emphasis is on understanding the importance of process control to achieve desired properties through the formation of correct microstructural features.

Topics covered include:

• equilibrium microstructural development - construction and interpretation of phase diagrams including quantitative prediction of microstructure
• the kinetics of phase transformations - the TTT diagram and diffusionless transformations
• thermal processing such as precipitation hardening, heat treating and annealing
• forming operations for metal alloys
• practical examples using important metal alloy systems such as steels, aluminium alloys and Nickel superalloys.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours

 Method of Assessment:

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Exam	100.00	2 hour exam

This module introduces students to modern management methods relevant to the running of a company. Topics include: introduction to basic economics; the essential requirements and aims of a business; preparing a business plan; accounting; interpretation of accounts; programme management; the essentials of “lean” manufacture and the management of innovation. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week when studying this module.

A broad-based module covering the chemistry, material properties and manufacturing methods relevant to polymers.

Topics include:

• Polymer chemistry and structure
• Routes to synthesis, polymerisation techniques, practical aspects of industrial production
• Viscoelasticity, time-temperature equivalence
• Rheology of polymer melts, heat transfer in melts, entanglements
• Properties of solid polymers, yield and fracture, crazing
• Manufacturing with polymers, extrusion, injection-moulding
• Design/ processing interactions for plastic products

For human factors/ergonomics work, simulation tools can enable designers, managers and end-users to experience products and systems in realistic, interactive environments. Such advancements have significant cost implications, enabling designs and their implications to be visualised early in the development life cycle. In addition, virtual/augmented reality and other advanced human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are being developed in many different industries to support different user needs.

This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and utilise computers as human factors tools for understanding peoples’ interactions with new technology. Moreover, the module will consider HMIs that are increasingly common in modern life and frequently designed and evaluated using simulation techniques.

The module is a mix of practical and research-oriented content, and you will make extensive use of the simulation facilities and on-going research projects within the Human Factors Research Group and elsewhere in the University.

Topics include:

• virtual reality technologies/environments/interfaces
• augmented reality; fidelity and validity of simulators
• presence factors for simulation
• understanding and minimising simulator sickness
• multimodal interfaces including the use of natural language and gesture interfaces, computers and collaborative/social interfaces, accessibility, in-car interfaces 

Delivery

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours
Practicum	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours

Assessment method

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Coursework 1	50.00	Report (approx. 3,000 words) on the use of simulation to aid in the design/evaluation of specific products
Coursework 2	50.00	Presentation arguing for the use of advanced Human-Machine Interface solutions in a specific design context

This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of cognitive ergonomics and the way in which the consideration of cognitive ergonomics can impact on human performance in the workplace. 

This is a project based module for Product Design and Manufacture. The module comprises of two projects. Specifically; in the first project, students will further develop ‘People Centred Research’ skills to find creative approaches that are innovative. In the second project, students will work for a “client” presenting concepts for their client’s selection. You’ll spend 12 hours working practically each week when studying this module.

The develops and showcases the design skills of the student. The project will look in detail at the design solution and the manufacturing of the product. The project will be carried out in conjunction with the student’s company review which will bring a great deal of realism to the project. This work will form the basis of the end of course exhibition. You’ll spend 20 hours working practically each week when studying this module.

Project management skills are a highly transferable skill directly relevant to employment sectors. The module will cover the fundamentals of project management, including project lifecycles, leadership in project management, managing risk in projects, analysis of project successes and failures and project management software. Students will produce a documented project management outline tailored to their research project to identify the key constraints, bottlenecks and milestones. This will be supplemented by the production of appropriate project management visualisation diagram, ie a Gantt or PERT chart. They will also present an interim verbal report to their supervisors and the module convenor to rehearse such reporting skills.

In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.

This module provides students with an awareness of the world resources and use of energy and material resources, factors affecting their patterns of consumption, and their environmental impacts. The economics and technologies of energy and materials supply, product manufacture, and waste disposal are also studied.

The module gives students an understanding of key principles to evaluate the potential for emerging opportunities to cost-effectively address environmental concerns of current practices.

Topics typically include:

• Drivers for sustainability, including patterns of energy use, material consumption, waste generation, and associated environmental impacts in UK and globally.
• Factors influencing the availability of non-renewable and renewable energy and material resources.
• Principles for the efficient use of energy resources including energy use in buildings, heat and power generation, and heat recovery systems.
• Life cycle assessment of engineering activities, with focus on greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, their impacts, and mitigation measures.
• Economic analysis of investments in energy savings, material substitution, product design, and value recovery from end-of-life products; Cost-benefit analysis incorporating environmental externalities; and the role of government regulations in influencing business decisions.

This module covers the principles and practice relating to processing, structure and properties of engineering alloys. The emphasis is on understanding the importance of process control to achieve desired properties through the formation of correct microstructural features.

Topics covered include:

• equilibrium microstructural development - construction and interpretation of phase diagrams including quantitative prediction of microstructure
• the kinetics of phase transformations - the TTT diagram and diffusionless transformations
• thermal processing such as precipitation hardening, heat treating and annealing
• forming operations for metal alloys
• practical examples using important metal alloy systems such as steels, aluminium alloys and Nickel superalloys.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours

 Method of Assessment:

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Exam	100.00	2 hour exam

For human factors/ergonomics work, simulation tools can enable designers, managers and end-users to experience products and systems in realistic, interactive environments. Such advancements have significant cost implications, enabling designs and their implications to be visualised early in the development life cycle. In addition, virtual/augmented reality and other advanced human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are being developed in many different industries to support different user needs.

This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and utilise computers as human factors tools for understanding peoples’ interactions with new technology. Moreover, the module will consider HMIs that are increasingly common in modern life and frequently designed and evaluated using simulation techniques.

The module is a mix of practical and research-oriented content, and you will make extensive use of the simulation facilities and on-going research projects within the Human Factors Research Group and elsewhere in the University.

Topics include:

• virtual reality technologies/environments/interfaces
• augmented reality; fidelity and validity of simulators
• presence factors for simulation
• understanding and minimising simulator sickness
• multimodal interfaces including the use of natural language and gesture interfaces, computers and collaborative/social interfaces, accessibility, in-car interfaces 

Delivery

Activity	Number of Weeks	Number of sessions	Duration of a session
Lecture	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours
Practicum	11 weeks	1 week	2 hours

Assessment method

Assessment Type	Weight	Requirements
Coursework 1	50.00	Report (approx. 3,000 words) on the use of simulation to aid in the design/evaluation of specific products
Coursework 2	50.00	Presentation arguing for the use of advanced Human-Machine Interface solutions in a specific design context

The aims of the module are to enable students to understand the nature of systems. You will be introduced to systems engineering and you will learn methods of establishing and representing systems requirements to feed into the design process. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week when studying this module.