Design Practice

This course is an introduction to engineering design. It will also look at design of some specific mechanical sub-systems. Students will also learn effective communication skills by means of engineering reports and graphical communication. The course is divided into two major components: In Design for Function a number of power-transmitting sub-systems, commonly used in mechanical design will be looked at. Students will design such sub-systems using both first principles and according to standard processes. Students will learn such fundamental aspects of design as using sources of design information; accuracy of engineering quantities; material selection; fabrication methods, and tolerances and fits. In Design Graphics students' graphical communication skills, including manual and computer aided drawing skills, are developed. This builds on existing knowledge learned in previous courses. Design graphics fundamentals are reviewed and extended, with hands-on training in the form of multiple assessments using state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.