Course overview
This course will develop to an advanced level, students' understanding of the manufacturing techniques with a focus on closed molding and polymer materials. The students will develop knowledge on a range of contemporary materials and manufacturing processes and how these are applied in the design of products manufactured in high volumes. An understanding of the economic and ecological implications of mass manufacturing will be developed. This will include knowledge of the economic, ecological, and health issues related to manufacturing technologies. The students will use the design skills to produce simple products that demonstrate an integration of materials and processes into design development and implementation including economic and ecological criteria. In addition students will conduct research into the properties and form possibilities of a variety of high volume manufacturing technologies and materials.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the properties of a range of differing materials and processes typically used in high volume manufacturing applications.
- Analyse and compare the comparative economic, functional and aesthetic advantages and disadvantages of materials and processes in the context of mass market products.
- Plan and execute a design project utilizing for High Volume Manufacturing materials and processes using CAD technologies.Demonstrate the ability to work with over-seas material suppliers, toolmakers and manufacturers to manage design projects to completion.
- Describe the ecological, economic and social consequences of mass market materials and processes in a cyclic life-cycle context.
- Conduct a detailed analysis and assessment comparing the environmental impacts and ecological footprints various materials and processes in a cyclic life-cycle context. Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable design and cyclic material flows for high volume manufacturing, and use principles to assess the impact of their use with respect to their ecological footprint.