BSc Hons Product Design & Innovation

This module aims to develop a broad range of knowledge and skill concerned with studentship, professionalism and ICT and a technical working knowledge of product development resources, processes and procedures.

The module covers:

• introduction to degree, learning, writing and communication
• design, fabrication and production processes including practical engineering workshop skills: turning, milling, drilling, fabrication, measurement, plastic processes, and simple electronic manufacture
• digital product development including professional digital product development systems, the DDMS and CAD, skills in parametric 3D modelling and 2D drawing, prototype and part fabrication via rapid prototyping (RP) and via computer numerical control (CNC).

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• identify a wide range of learning, orientation and communication skills and practically apply them for student learning and work as a product development professional
• develop presentation skills and sets of visuals
• identify and explain wide range of design, fabrication and production processes and theoretically and practically apply them to product development projects
• ability to explain and discuss the engineering, manufacturing and technical aspects of a mass-produced consumer product via a viva and visual slide presentation or a text and visual report
• ability to digitally design and digitally fabricate components according to a design brief and technical documentation

Assessment and feedback is in the form of an ‘industrial disaster’ assignment (35%), CADCAM assignment (10%), Buggy assignment (55%).

This module aims to provide a foundation learning experience for engineering product design, through the experience of an integrated design process that ranges across research, specification, concept design, design evaluation, refinement and presentation.

The module covers a foundation course in engineering product design intended to give an appreciation of modern design as the integrator of engineering, business and other specialisms. The class will give practice in the execution of each of the stages of the design process through participation in a team and individual based project. Topics to be addressed include freehand sketching in 2&3D, presentation graphics, and scale drawing. Scale drawing will address orthographic projection, layout drawing, isometric drawing, manufacturing component and assembly drawings. Much of the work of the class will be conducted through studio workshops, coursework and projects. Students will also be required to participate in model making and oral presentations.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• understand the context of design and specialist roles within a design process
• research and define opportunities for design through: user and market research; the use of product design specifications (PDS)
• generate and communicate design concepts through: ideation methods; sketching, rendering and sketch modelling techniques
• refine and communicate designs through design evaluation and development methods; engineering drawing and graphics
• present design work in the form of a folio, exhibition and critique presentation

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a team presentation and critique (33%), a team folio (33%) and an individual drawing pack (33%).

This module aims to provide students with an overview of the manufacturing industry and an appreciation of:

1. the range of processes and materials employed in production
2. operations management theory and practice, emphasising the key role of managers and engineers within organisations

The module covers:

• developments in management theory including scientific management and socio-technical theory
• the role of engineering managers
• strategic aspects of business management including analysis of macro and mico environment
• organisational design
• process thinking including supply chain and quality management
• overview of manufacturing including classes of manufactured goods, manufactured resources (M-M-M-M) and concepts of simultaneous engineering
• introduction to manufacturing materials and processes including process classification, a focus on casting and bulk deformation of metals and overview of polymer processing

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the nature of operations management
• demonstrate an understanding of the basis of competition and the basic principles of designing and operating business
• describe the meaning of the term “manufacturing” and the scope of manufacturing industry
• identify the basic stages in transforming raw material into a useable end product
• discuss the principle factors involved in material and process selection

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a report - business and operations strategy (35%) and a video pitch – the sustainable organisation (15%).

This module aims to introduce students to the language of technology and stimulate awareness of the basic ideas, laws and electrical and mechanical science that underpins technology.

The module covers:

• statics and dynamics including newton’s second law, angular velocity and acceleration, moment of inertia, rotational kinetic energy, transmission of power
• force analysis – free body diagrams, bending
• energy – conservation of energy
• kinetic and potential energy
• thermal energy, magnetic fields, capacitance, inductance, DC and AC Analogue circuits, power sources, passive and active electrical components, analogue devices (amplification), development of consumer electronic products - practical circuit building and testing, digital logic, thermo-fluids – heat transfer, hydrostatic pressure, archimedes’ principle, buoyancy and gas laws

The topics listed above will be reinforced by simple experiments and examples of application on everyday items.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• use fundamental physical principles in the design of an electrical and a mechanical product
• analyse electrical and mechanical engineering problems to establish and apply appropriate techniques in order to generate solutions
• use correct units and notation throughout the engineering analysis process
• simplify a given product to enable the application of scientific principles

Assessment and feedback is in the form of two exams (30% each), coursework (20%) and practical lab activities (20%).

This module aims to:

• raise awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship in the 21^st century
• show that entrepreneurship occurs in a variety of contexts and is not confined to business start-ups nor to the for-profit economy
• develop an understanding of entrepreneurial fundamentals – opportunity identification, creativity and innovation
• understand how businesses grow and the changing role of the entrepreneur

A decision to follow an entrepreneurial pathway poses other critical decisions. The module helps you provide answers to the following: When is the best time to start my own business? What do I need to know? What skills do I need? How do I learn these skills? How much experience should I get working for someone else before starting on my own? What kind of experience do I need?

At the end of this module students will be able to understand:

• what entrepreneurship is, what entrepreneurs do, and the economic and societal contributions of entrepreneurs
• the different domains in which entrepreneurship can be found
• the centrality of ‘opportunity’ in the entrepreneurial process
• the role and importance of creativity or innovation in the entrepreneurial process
• the key skills in entrepreneurship and how they can be developed
• how the role of the entrepreneur and the skills required, change as the business grows
• how to make a personal assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of being employed and/or of being an entrepreneur

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a 1,500-word group report (15%), online tests (30%), an individual essay (20%) and group work (35%).

You can choose one (20 credit) module from any department in the university, as long as it coincides with the availability in your schedule. Example modules include:

• How Things Work
• Introduction to French 1A
• Introduction to Italian 1A
• Introduction to Spanish 1A
• Introduction to Business Start-Up
• The Universe & Everything
• Introduction to French 1B
• Introduction to Italian 1B
• Introduction to Spanish 1B

The aim of this module is to provide continuation of the first year design class Total Design 1, concentrating on techniques appropriate to different phases of the design process including user centred research, conceptual, embodiment and detailed design.

The module covers:

• requirement identification including aesthetic, emotional and cultural issues of products
• user centred design techniques
• capturing requirements
• conceptual design methods including PDS to aid concept generation
• new creative concept generation methods i.e. Analogy, Attribute Listing, Function and Morphological analysis
• practical application of concept evaluation methods
• embodiment design methods including Methods to progress from chosen concept through to developed concept
• application of methods for initial sizing, component, manufacturing technology and material selection, trade-offs
• detail design methods including application of force analysis, design for strength, stress and deflection, material and component selection. CAD detailing and assembly.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Understand and evaluate business, customer and user needs, including considerations such as the wider engineering context, public perception and aesthetics
• Investigate and define the problem, identifying any constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations; ethical, health, safety, security and risk issues; intellectual property; codes of practice and standards
• Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal

Assessment and feedback is in the form of coursework:

• team critique 25%
• team folio 25%
• individual report 25%
• individual coursework 25%

This module aims to provide an understanding of the key issues faced by designers, engineers, production, and project managers, in the design and development of new products and services.

The module covers:

• a review of the product development process, particularly front end design process activities (design brief and PDS)
• introduction to concurrent engineering distributed design and globalisation
• product types (innovative, evolutionary)
• product and manufacturing strategies
• intellectual property management
• functional layouts: characteristics. Systematic Layout Planning
• cellular manufacture: Group technology, family formation methods, coding systems cell design
• facility location: factors to consider on location including globalisation
• introduction to Lean manufacturing from a manufacturing layout optimisation perspective and more.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• understand product development strategies and frameworks
• identify the activities and information flows in the development of new products leading to the definition of organisational structures
• demonstrate understanding of the project management process, its tools and techniques, i.e. gantt & network charts product costing, resource planning and risk management
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of manufacturing facilities design and management including location selection
• design and analyse manufacturing layouts for optimum efficiency
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of established manufacturing optimisation techniques

Assessment and feedback is in the form of:

• a multiple choice exam (25%)
• Assignment 1 involves design and planning of a “project/idea” (25%)
• Assignment 2 involves designing a facility layout and developing a workstation based on the principles of lean, 5S and ergonomic workstation design (25%)
• an exam (25%)

The aim of this module is to develop a broad range of student knowledge and skill concerned with the practical techniques, methods and technologies for prototyping within the product design process.

The module covers:

• the history of design prototyping
• a taxonomy of design prototyping
• design prototyping methods, techniques, tools and technologies
• the future of design prototyping
• planning and designing prototypes
• prototypes, user testing, market testing and co-design
• prototypes and batch production
• desktop prototyping including paper, card and cardboard prototypes, rough mock-ups, refined spatial mock-ups
• workshop prototyping including materials: woods, metals, foams and plastics
• fabrication processes: cutting, shaping, forming, joining
• procedures: sequencing, stages, cutting lists, templates, jigs, finishing
• force prototypes
• rapid prototyping including applications of 3D-CAD
• 3D printing
• FDM prototyping
• other rapid prototyping technologies: SLA, SLS
• visualisation and Virtual Prototyping including 3D visuals as aesthetic prototypes
• 3D visuals as interactive, spatial and/or mechanical prototypes – e.g. Pro/ENGINEER.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• differentiate, compare and analyse different design prototyping techniques, methods and technologies, and to be able to select between them and define plans for practical application based on the requirements of the product design process
• apply a range of manual-desktop, lab-machine and digital prototyping skills and explain their various applications within the appropriate phases of the product design process
• evaluate and appraise the performance and quality of prototype work and personal academic performance

Assessment and feedback is in the form of assignments all relating to learning Design Prototyping Skills including:

1. students design a child’s toy - this tests modelling skills and knowledge
2. students submit a full aesthetic model demonstrating finishing and various types of manufacturing processes
3. class logbook (containing material relevant to assignments 1 and 2)

The aim of this module is to develop the student’s ability to create appropriate functional prototypes for the purposes of mechanical design and visualisation. To engender an appreciation of different prototyping methods and their application areas.

The module will cover the following areas:

• manual prototyping methods
• introduction to the design project laboratory, safe working practices, use of machinery
• manufacture of simple mechanical and electro-mechanical mechanisms
• mechanism design and manufacture (competition project)
• rapid and virtual prototyping methods
• rapid prototyping/layered manufacture: systems, techniques, data transfer methods
• computer aided machining technologies; techniques, justification for use
• modern visualisation methods including stereoscopic displays
• digital data acquisition of three dimensional solid bodies
• introduction to, and application of, a range of CAD systems for modelling and visualisation
• introduction to CAD/CAM highlighting the link between digital information and its translation into physical artefacts

At the end of this modules students will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to design and make simple working prototypes within time, personnel and material constraints
• demonstrate knowledge of simple mechanical and electro-mechanical mechanisms, power transmission, control methods and their application
• appreciate and understand the capabilities of CAD and CAD/CAM
• appreciate and understand the capabilities of virtual prototyping and automated capture of solid body data

Assessment and feedback is in the form of two major project design and make assignments, 50% for a team based project; 50% for an individual project.

The individual project is graded from a physical prototype (25%) and a CAD design folio (25%). The team based project is graded from a model (15%), a CAD folio (20%) and a team presentation (15%).

The aim of this module is to increase the depth of production technology knowledge. It introduces students to primary processes for metal and polymer production, metal cutting theory, secondary manufacturing processes, engineering metrology, and the manufacture of electronic components and products.

The module covers:

• metal casting processes: sand casting, investment casting, die casting
• metal bulk deformation processes: rolling, forging, extrusion
• sheet metal working: cutting, bending, deep drawing, superplastic forming, hydroforming
• polymer processing: fundamentals of polymers, extrusion, thermoforming, blow moulding, injection moulding, rotational moulding, compression and transfer moulding
• machining processes (chip removal): turning, milling, grinding, honing
• metal cutting theory: basic metal cutting principles, cutting tool geometry, chip formation, temperature in cutting, cutting tool materials, cutting fluids, machinability
• heat treatment: theory and processes applicable to heat treatment of steels
• surface finishing: painting, electroplating, anodising, etc.
• joining processes. welding processes: gas welding, arc welding, resistance welding, welding, defects
• engineering metrology: definitions, standards, role in manufacturing, classes of measurement, linear and angular measurement, comparative measurements, limit gauging, link to tolerancing, quality control and process capability
• electronics manufacturing – component manufacture, IC production, PCB assembly including soldering

At the end of this modules students will be able to:

• demonstrate good knowledge of a range of primary and secondary manufacturing processes, their operating principles and their appropriate application
• demonstrate knowledge of the theory behind metal cutting and other processes
• exhibit an understanding of the principles, technology and application of engineering metrology within a manufacturing context
• demonstrate knowledge of the production of electronic and electrical components and assemblies

Assessment and feedback is in the form of coursework and an exam.

This module is designed to provide a practical introduction to the processes involved in early-stage development of a new growth-orientated business concept. Building on leading practitioner methodologies such as lean startup, design thinking, business model canvas, and MIT’s “Disciplined Entrepreneurship” programme, the class covers best practice strategies for shaping a business idea into a tangible offering.

The module allows the student to be able to:

• identify and evaluate business opportunities and pathways to growth
• conduct market research incorporating industry, market and consumer analysis
• assess the viability and quality of innovative business models
• work as part of a team practicing communication, collaboration and accountability
• pitch and present in a pressurized situation

Students will have an understanding of:

• entrepreneurship and the nature and role of owner-managed businesses in order to make judgments about your own personal development as an entrepreneur
• the challenges and pitfalls and the rewards and costs of starting a business.
• the role of business models in the process of establishing a new venture

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a Group Tradeshow Pitch (25%), a Group Business Plan (40%) and an Individual Growth Strategy (35%).

This module aims to develop student knowledge and skill concerned with contemporary form and aesthetic design, working from concept to detail, in reference to specific aspects of everyday human emotion and experience.

The module covers:

• emotional attachments to things and materials
• material morphologies across time and culture
• commercial design frameworks for emotion and experience – including brand design
• critical perspectives on form, aesthetics and experience – ideas of ‘object’, ‘closure’, ‘openness’, ‘critical design’, etc
• sustainability and surfaces of perception and attachment
• conceptual form design
• detail form design
• translating conceptual explorations to precise design form
• digital surface modelling technologies and their use across small to large design practices
• focus on SolidWorks surfacing
• detailed form refinement – form, surface and precision
• detailed aesthetic definition – precise colours, textures and material
• precise model making – white models, presentation models
• form within an experience design framework – including brand design and communication and critical dialogue.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• understand and evaluate the aesthetic, emotional, experiential and morphological issues in product design and relevant philosophies, socio-cultural factors, ethical issues, approaches and methods through engagement with literature, information and reflection on project work
• investigate and define a direction and develop creative conceptual designs with consideration of perceptions, aesthetics, emotions, experience and morphology (form) in collaboration with class peers and developing individual focus
• develop quality detailed design forms using advanced digital modelling (e.g. surface modelling) and define precise aesthetic specifications within the context of an experience design framework which includes engagement with branding, commercial, economic and socio-cultural contexts
• communicate design work through quality visuals, making and interpersonal skills and engage in critical dialogue, dealing with uncertain design issues and demonstrating effective project management

Assessment and feedback is in the form of: a critique submission (5%), a second critique submission (10%), an exhibition submission (65%) and a design journal (20%).

The selection and use of design methods within the context of modern design practices and the new product development process will be explored, both for supporting the management of the design process and for specific design activities. Emphasis will be placed on recently developed product independent design methods and their application within a company environment.

The module covers:

• the product development process and methodologies: key methodologies, innovative and evolutionary development processes, concurrent engineering
• design methods: design for X, design for multiple Xs, design for manufacture and assembly, quality function deployment, design for sustainability, failure mode and effect analysis, value analysis, inclusive design
• coordination and information management: information management systems, PDM, EDM, CSCW, coordination and integration frameworks

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Product Development Process and related methodologies and methods.
• select and apply appropriate design methods for a product development project.
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of product development coordination and information management methods and technologies.

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a group presentation (20%), a group poster presentation (20%) and an online test (60%).

This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of modern and non-traditional manufacturing techniques and with the ability to apply this knowledge to the design of tooling and the selection of the appropriate manufacturing techniques for creating components and products. It also aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of manufacturing processes in converting advanced materials into products, and the ability to carry out computer simulations of some of the primary processes.

The module covers:

• types of advanced materials: properties and applications
• conversion of advanced materials: processing of polymer composites, powder metallurgy and ceramics technology, processing of modern metals and metal composites
• simulation of primary processes: principles and examples of computer simulation of material flow in processes
• the process and considerations of material selection: calculation of the material index for a given problem, material selection by using Ashby charts (AR, 4 hours) tutorial and exercises
• non-traditional machining and applications: overview of micro-manufacturing
• principles, process configurations, process capabilities, process parameters and industrial applications of photo-chemical machining, electrochemical machining, electrical-discharge machining, and laser-machining
• jig/fixture working principle and design
• rapid prototyping and manufacturing: additive and subtractive techniques, object data capture techniques - e.g. laser scanning, touch probes, etc. and virtual prototyping

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of material properties, processing parameters, manufacturing steps, machinery used and costs involved in converting advanced materials into products
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of non-traditional manufacturing techniques and their applications to micro-manufacturing.
• demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles of jig and fixture design
• demonstrate a working knowledge of the methods used to simulate material flow during manufacturing processes
• explain meaning of rapid-prototyping and identify and select key techniques for rapid prototyping
• understand the process and considerations for material selection

Assessment and feedback is in the form of an exam (60%), a group presentation (20%) and coursework (20%).

This module aims to provide engineering students with an understanding of the importance of innovation in today’s business environment. The module aims to also develop understanding and skills in the area of innovation management, including the management of the innovation process, intellectual property, financial decision-making and commercialisation of ideas.

The module covers:

• the innovation process – basis of competition
• the innovative organisation
• principles of innovation management
• creativity
• market research, strategies for innovation
• intellectual property, patenting and commercialisation
• strategies for innovation
• leading and managing innovation
• collaborative innovation and new ventures
• licensing
• people and innovation - decision making, personality, communication, motivation, groups and teamwork, leadership, conflict, power and politics
• finance and innovation - innovation finances – making a case
• costing methods
• financial statements (e.g. balance sheets, profit and loss and cash flow)
• financial ratios
• budgeting
• investment appraisal
• break-even analysis
• risk management
• performance measurement
• selling your ideas – business start-up and plans
• marketing mix
• marketing innovation
• the sales pitch
• product/service ideas
• process ideas
• sales pitch workshop
• final presentations

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• appreciation of the innovation process, management activities and economically sound decision making
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of routes to market, commercialisation and intellectual property management
• understand, interpret, prepare and evaluate financial statements and costing models of industrial enterprises
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to manage and lead multiple stakeholders effectively through the innovation process

Assessment and feedback is in the form of coursework (100%) including a business plan, sales video and presentation.

This module aims to develop design and manufacturing project based skills relevant to each of the four undergraduate degree courses, and to provide practice in the application of engineering, manufacture and design principles.

The module will consist of an individual project and a team project intended to develop and integrate knowledge and skills acquired in the students’ particular course of study. These activities will consist of:

• team project - concept development, proof-of-concept modelling (physical and virtual)
• individual project – application of relevant engineering principles, utilisation of CAD/CAM/CAED, project reporting

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• undertake the design of a technical product or process requiring multidisciplinary input
• apply appropriate engineering knowledge and skills to the design of a product or process
• communicate engineering knowledge effectively to stakeholders throughout the design process

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a project model and demonstration.

This module aims to develop design and manufacturing project based skills relevant to each of the four undergraduate degree courses, and to provide practice in the application of engineering, manufacture and design principles.

The module will consist of an individual project intended to develop and integrate knowledge and skills acquired in the students’ particular course of study. These activities will consist of application of relevant engineering principles, utilisation of software tools, project planning, management and reporting.

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• undertake the design of a technical product or an improved organisational process, as appropriate to course discipline
• apply appropriate engineering knowledge and skills to the design of a product or improved process
• communicate engineering and innovation knowledge effectively to stakeholders throughout the design process

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a project, there is no exam.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and methods of mechatronic system design and applications including those in manufacturing industry.

The module will teach the following topics in the context of designing mechatronic systems:

• mechatronic and automation introduction including mechatronic design principles, energy and information Systems, bond graph theory, block diagram, functional design using bond graphs, advantages and disadvantages of electric and fluid power systems, types of electric motors and their control techniques, simple actuators for hydraulic and pneumatic systems, The specifications of robotic and other automated equipment
• experimental design and data acquisition including methods of programming robots, programming structure and debugging, microprocessors and MPLAB
• control and its application: open and closed loop control, second order system, problems in robot design and control, types of motion control
• sensing devices and their applications
• automation in manufacturing.

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of why manufacturing automation and mechatronic systems are used
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of mechatronic design and modelling techniques applied to hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical systems
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the control principles/technology and their application in mechatronic system and automation systems, including microprocessors, PLCs and their programming
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sensing principles and sensor technologies
• specify the type of automation system suitable for any given application
• demonstrate an appreciation of the human factor issues in manufacturing automation

Assessment and feedback is in the form of coursework submission outlining the design of a mechatronic system (30%) and an exam (70%).

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental programming concepts, knowledge of programming core languages and skills in programming for the development of contemporary products and production equipment.

The module will teach the following topics in the context of designing mechatronic systems:

• programming languages and product applications
• software development methodologies, e.g. agile development
• programming development environment
• flow diagrams and programme architecture
• developing code
• debugging
• refining code
• sharing code

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of fundamental programming concepts
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of core programming languages
• demonstrate proficiency in programming
• demonstrate skills in the development of products with software driven functionality through applied programming

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a project submission (100%).

This module aims for students to integrate and apply design, manufacturing and operations management knowledge and skills to an industry based product and process development project and to develop project management skills.

The module consists of a team-based industrial project where an outline project brief is set by an industrial client. The team is expected to manage all aspects of the project through to a finished solution. This can be a product, system or process depending on the nature of the project. Teams meet with academic staff and industrial clients regularly through the project.

On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various elements associated with the respective course disciplines
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of products and management practices in industry
• demonstrate knowledge and ability in applying and using various analysis and modelling tools and techniques in product and process realisation
• demonstrate project planning and management, data collection and analysis, presentation, consulting and team working skills

Assessment and feedback is in the form of client and risk management reports (10%), a project report (75%) and a presentation to the client (15%).

This module builds upon the knowledge of Design Methods acquired in DM306 and will develop knowledge and understanding of the integration, development and application of design methods in the areas of design for manufacture and assembly, sustainability, and design for Xs at embodiment and detail design level.

The module covers:

• design for manufacture and assembly: DFMA within simultaneous engineering, DFMA methods, economic considerations, manufacturing process considerations (design for casting, machining, assembly and automation, joining), design for plastics (including tool design), standardisation and modularisation
• sustainable design: review of key concepts, life cycle analysis including practical application, legislation, introduction to advanced sustainable design methods, remanufacture, design for recycling, disposal, and remanufacture
• design for Xs: frameworks including integrating systems design methods and approaches to support efficient and effective DfX leading to the development of strategies to support DfX.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• evaluate advanced product designs based on a sound knowledge of design for manufacture and assembly, sustainability design principles
• utilise design methods to improve the manufacturability, assembly and sustainability aspects of a product design in a economic and marketable manner
• identify, develop and integrate design methods or DFX strategies as appropriate for a given design scenario

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a report (50%) and a Reflective report/folio (50%).

This module aims to consolidate and develop experience in undertaking a major individual project and develop a good appreciation of professional practice by utilising design, manufacturing and management knowledge acquired during the course and applying it to real life situations.

The module covers all aspects of managing a product development or production management project. The project, managed and conducted by the student under the guidance of a supervisor, is taken from project proposal to working prototype/validated production engineering implementation. Regular lectures and seminars presented to students will cover all aspects of project content and conduct; with workshops to support key project stages and activities. Students would normally meet with their supervisor on a fortnightly basis; weekly at key points of project.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• carry out an in-depth and broad product development or production engineering project through demonstration of the academic concepts, practical skills and managerial techniques gained throughout the period of study; and how concepts and theories require to meet the specific needs of the market segment
• communicate effectively. Produce in-depth report (also folio and detailed drawing set where appropriate)
• demonstrate professional management of a project. Include aspects of business planning in relation to a product or specialist area in production engineering and management
• appreciate legislative, ethical and environmental requirements and their influence in product and process design and management and to demonstrate their application to a project

Assessment and feedback is in the form of a Brief & Report/portfolio (75% = 5% brief preparation, 70% report/folio/models) and critique assessments (25%).

You must select 20 credits from an approved list of option classes available from the Department of Design, Manufacture & Engineering Management.