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What?
The DMEM Industrial Projects scheme enables companies to engage with the Department by setting project topics for student teams. Over the years we have helped a large number of companies, from start-ups to multinational and public organisations, to explore new ideas, concepts and systems over the course of an academic year. Collaboration as part of the scheme can help organisations who lack the necessary time or resource to turn ideas into reality.
Why?
Participating companies have experienced a number of benefits:
- Access to University equipment, resources, cutting edge technologies and techniques
- Leadership and management training opportunities for young staff
- Opportunities to experience the latest design methodologies with a view to improving company design processes
- Access to enthusiastic senior undergraduate and postgraduate students.
How?
Development teams consist of senior undergraduate and postgraduate students from product design, manufacture and engineering management related degree programmes. Our students have expertise in product design engineering, product design innovation, sports design engineering, manufacturing and engineering management. Projects usually fall within one or more of these areas.
A company representative is appointed to liaise with the team. Teams are allocated a DMEM academic mentor who provides support and guidance throughout the project to ensure the project deliverables are met. The mentors may include both University staff and Royal Academy of Engineering visiting professors.
Students meet at least once per week in the DMEM studio space to discuss progress with academic staff.
When?
Projects normally run for the majority of one academic year (September - May). Significant emphasis is placed on project management, and the team is expected to take a best practice approach to documentation and coordination of all project activities.
Project format
Once a brief has been finalised between the client company through preliminary discussions, the project is allocated to a suitable team of either single discipline or multi-discipline students. Projects are related to the areas of product design and development, manufacturing and engineering management. Examples include the design and prototyping of a countertop dispenser for a soap manufacturer, process improvement at a bottling plant using simulation analysis, and the development of a CSR strategy for a high-end audio company. Projects are best realised through commitment and active involvement. The client company, University and student team each appoint representatives who are readily available to communicate and liaise on a regular, informal basis. There are four stages to each project with associated milestones. At each milestone formal feedback is required of the client company - this engages both the student teams and clients in presentations or meetings to reach shared decisions.
Brief
Once a project has been agreed a development team and University mentor are appointed. The client, mentor and team then meet for formal discussions to ensure all parties are clear on the content of the project brief.
Definition
A thorough investigation is carried out to define the parameters and criteria to take the project forward. This may be presented as a design specification, layout schematic, gap analysis, or other appropriate format.
Conceptualisation
The team typically develops a range of concepts and solutions to the particular problem, identifying avenues for development as the project progresses. For example, rendered CAD models may be generated, evaluated and presented to the client. A key outcome of this stage is clarity on final project deliverables.
Teams have access to DMEM’s state-of-the-art Digital Design and Manufacturing Studio (DDMS), including virtual and rapid prototyping.
Realisation
The final project solution typically includes a report which should be of strategic benefit to the client organisation, accompanied by supporting models or drawings as appropriate.
The final project report may be accompanied by a prototype, CAD layouts, experimental data or other identified deliverables.
Companies that have already worked with us include:
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Download a pdf of our IGP flyer
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