Module overview
Modern engineering products rarely rely on a single discipline. From autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing systems to medical devices and robotics, today's engineers must integrate mechanical, electrical, electronic and computational technologies into reliable, intelligent systems. This module develops the design, programming and systems engineering skills needed to create these next-generation engineering solutions. Working in teams, you will design, manufacture and test an engineering system in response to a realistic design brief, developing your ability to solve open-ended engineering problems through creativity, technical analysis and collaborative working. In Semester 1, dedicated computing and control laboratories, supported by engineering design and manufacturing lectures, will develop your computational thinking, programming and engineering design skills while introducing the core principles required for the project. You will then apply this knowledge throughout a challenging mechatronic design project, integrating sensing, actuation, control and mechanical design to develop, manufacture and evaluate a fully functioning prototype. Throughout the module, you will gain experience of systems integration, project planning, prototyping, testing and design evaluation while developing the teamwork, leadership and communication skills expected of professional engineers. The module is closely linked with Engineering Management and Law, allowing you to apply project management, project risk management and leadership principles within a realistic engineering design environment.
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: FEEG1001 and FEEG1002 and FEEG1004
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- sem2 - assessment: students need to show they have designed a solution to a complex engineering problem utilising their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles
- sem 2 - assessment: in all projects students select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes to build test rigs and working prototypes. Students are encouraged to recognising their limitations.
- sem 2 - assessment: throughout projects students will investigate societal and user needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health safety, cultural, societal and environmental matters.
- sem 1/2 - assessment: all projects apply a systems design approach in the context of solving a complex problem
- sem2 - assessment: all projects require students to solve complex problems at some stage of the project using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles
- sem 1/2 - assessment: all projects require the building and testing of physical prototypes
- sem1/2 - assessment: students build CAD models and use computational methods to design and analyse complex problem solutions
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to analyse computer programs to understand and develop their structure.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to identify types of problems to pick the right solution strategy whether computational or physical.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to generate innovative designs for systems and components to address the needs of a project brief.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to produce and interpret simulations of system performance.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to design and implement small computer programs independently.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to prepare geometry data for systems modelling and prototyping processes, ensuring that part geometry and tolerances are consistent with functional and process constraints.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to interface sensors and actuators to a real-time processor.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to design and build a system from component parts, both physical and simulated.
- Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to solve system design problems by selecting, modelling, interfacing and integrating algorithms, actuators, sensors and mechanical parts.
- Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of real-time computing and programming principles, the concepts behind software engineering and design decisions in designing software.
- Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the definition of a “system” of parts and how parts interact to meet functional requirements.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to produce successful system designs through individual and team working.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to decompose a model of an engineering system and its processes into smaller tasks that can be addressed sequentially through designing real-time computational control, including using algorithms.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to examine a system design critically, analyse results and identify potential improvements.
- Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to communicate a system design idea/concept graphically.
Syllabus
SEMESTER 1
• Systems design
• Manufacturing and Design for Manufacturing
• Design of a control system
• Structural Analysis
• Engineering Design and Drawing - good practice
• A microprocessor Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
• Analogue/digital conversion
• Communicating with sensors (e.g. infra-red, ultrasonic)
• Control of motors and servos
SEMESTER 2 - Design Project
Design, build and test of an engineering system, working in teams, realised through one of a number of design projects.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This module will be delivered through a combination of the following:
1. Lectures for the delivery of new material and concepts.
2. Practical sessions where students will tackle a set of design and computing tasks.
3. Workshop sessions for students to work in groups and develop design proposals. Demonstrators/ academic staff will be available to answer questions and provide feedback during practical and workshop sessions.
The teaching pattern is summarised below:
SEMESTER 1
DESIGN: Lectures on formal design theories (weeks 1-12).
Lectures introduce the module and the design project briefs. Formative lab/tutorial sessions support students pursuing design, manufacturing and structural analysis exercises.
COMPUTING: Computer-based practical classes and exercises to introduce a microcontroller and programming system.
All students take part in groups in an assessed mechatronic system design exercise.
SEMESTER 2: Design Project
Workshop sessions (weeks 1-12(18-33)) enable students to pursue the design project within the Design Studios/Workshops and testing (potentially subject to weather conditions) at a suitable location.
Consultation opportunities with staff members are provided each week mainly within this time. Groups can use the Design Studios/ Workshops in addition to timetabled sessions, during open access times.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical classes and workshops | 36 |
| Follow-up work | 26 |
| Lecture | 14 |
| Completion of assessment task | 50 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Software - Available on managed University computers. • SolidWorks (Student version also available to download for use on personal computers). • MATLAB • Arduino
Textbooks
Margolis, M., Jepson, B. and Weldin, N. R. (2020) (2020). Arduino cookbook : recipes to begin, expand, and enhance your projects.. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media..
Edited by A. van Boeijen, J. Daalhuizen, and J. Zijlstra (2020) (2020). Delft design guide : perspectives, models, approaches, methods.. Amsterdam: BIS.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Group marks are awarded to students for exercises. However, individual student marks can vary within a group should the assessors deem that there have been unequal contributions from the students within the group. Students complete Peer Feedback to comment on their own and other group member’s contributions. A moderation meeting involving the project tutors will be held at the end of semester 2 to moderate assessments. This module is coordinated with the co-requisite module FEEG2006 Engineering Management and Law. A proportion of the marks for FEEG2006 will be awarded for management practice associated with the Group Design Project of this module.Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Concept Design Report
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written feedback to the group provided at the end of week 3.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: Yes
Interim Design Review
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Verbal feedback to the group provided during the review.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: Yes
Individual contribution
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Verbal feedback to individual students during Design Tutorial sessions.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Design Report | 40% |
| Computing exercise | 20% |
| Design | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Design Review | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal