Module overview
This module manufacturing and materials is intended to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing processing and materials properties. This module discusses various manufacturing methods including casting, forming, welding, cutting, 3D printing, and composite/polymer manufacturing. For each manufacturing method, the aspects covered include: aesthetics, principles, choices of materials, choice of processes, properties of materials, advantages and disadvantages, process economics. Examples are drawn from manufacturing processes mainly used in aerospace, automotive and marine industries.
Linked modules
Pre-requisite: FEEG2005 or ELEC2231
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must justify answers about manufacturing processes by explaining the underlying fundamental physics and the engineering principles that can be applied to understand them
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must discuss process parameters that could be adjusted and explain how these might affect unacceptable outcomes, such as high residual stress, cracking, low production rates, etc.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must use cost models to assess and explain the factors that affect cost as a key factor in the commercial context of manufacturing.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must recommend manufacturing processes and explain which requirements can be satisfied by familiar processes and which cannot.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must recommend manufacturing processes and suggest process modifications to solve problems with uncertain answers, and which may require conditional explanations about when various answers might or might not be applicable.
- As part of the individual coursework report, students must refer to a technical database on manufacturing process data, and consider information on cost, health and safety, and environmental sustainability, as well as technical capabilities.
- As part of the individual coursework report, students must refer to a technical database on manufacturing process data and systematically assess these against application requirements. Identifying and referencing additional external technical literature is also required.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Interpret component/manufacturing processes in a wider context.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Select a manufacturing process to make a given component.
- Use CES EduPack software to screen suitable materials and manufacturing process for designed products.
- Select a welding process to make a given joint in a given material.
Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must use cost models to assess and explain the factors that affect cost as a key factor in the commercial context of manufacturing.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must recommend manufacturing processes and explain which requirements can be satisfied by familiar processes and which cannot.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must recommend manufacturing processes and suggest process modifications to solve problems with uncertain answers, and which may require conditional explanations about when various answers might or might not be applicable.
- As part of the individual coursework report, students must refer to a technical database on manufacturing process data, and consider information on cost, health and safety, and environmental sustainability, as well as technical capabilities.
- As part of the individual coursework report, students must refer to a technical database on manufacturing process data and systematically assess these against application requirements. Identifying and referencing additional external technical literature is also required.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must justify answers about manufacturing processes by explaining the underlying fundamental physics and the engineering principles that can be applied to understand them.
- As part of the exam and individual coursework report, students must discuss process parameters that could be adjusted and explain how these might affect unacceptable outcomes, such as high residual stress, cracking, low production rates, etc.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The relation between manufacturing, material selection and sustainable engineering and development.
- Salient features of major manufacturing processes in metals, polymers, composites, including customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics
- Advantages and disadvantages of each process as a method of producing a component or structure with appropriate properties for service, including awareness of quality issues.
- Material behaviour in manufacturing processes.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of manufacturing with materials including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
- Identify design features influencing manufacturing process choice.
- Critically analyse alternative manufacturing processes.
Syllabus
Introduction and Manufacturing Process Selection for Design:
An introduction to the module, its teaching staff, its structure and assessment methods. Manufacturing as a shape change operation is introduced. A hierarchical classification for both manufacturing processes and the shape that they can produce is introduced. Performance factors related to manufacturing processes are defined and the influence of the Product Design Specification on the selection of the manufacturing process outlined. Case studies are used to illustrate the concepts. The Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) EduPack software is introduced and used to access relevant data and select materials and manufacturing processes.
Casting Processes:
The principles of component production by the liquid metal solidification are outlined. The major metal casting processes are introduced in relation to design, structure, properties, quality and economics, and underlying concepts linked to other fusion/solidification processes (welding and metal fusion additive manufacturing).
Joining Processes:
Major welding processes are introduced in relation to joint design, quality, defects, service performance and cost. The properties of welds are related to the microstructure, and compared to metal fusion additive manufacturing (AM).
Powder Processes:
Powder production, characteristics, flow, and compaction are covered. Powder processes are described and concepts linked to powder bed AM techniques.
Additive Manufacturing/3D printing:
The principles of additive manufacturing are introduced and a generalised processing sequence is described. Key forms of additive manufacturing are covered in terms of design, structure, properties, quality and economics, and underlying concepts linked to similar processes.
Polymer and Composites Processing:
Polymer and composite materials structure and properties are introduced. Manufacturing processes are introduced in relation to design, structure, properties, quality and economics, and underlying concepts linked to polymer additive manufacturing and casting processes. Adhesive bonding as a joining method for polymers and composites is also described.
Metal Forming Processes:
Component production using bulk and sheet deformation processes are described. Sheet metal deformation processes such as shearing, bending, stretch forming and deep drawing are presented. Emphasis is placed on the selection of production route in relation to the design, structure/property requirements and formability of the material.
Machining and Cutting Processes
Single and multiple point cutting processes are discussed and performance parameters established. Tool materials and the economics of tool wear are briefly considered.
Revision
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures on topics above.
- Videos on manufacturing and joining processes.
- Examples of components made by various manufacturing processes.
- CES EduPack Computing lab.
- Tutorial question sheets covering underpinning physical concepts as well as process selection and design considerations.
- Blackboard tests with detailed feedback designed to help understanding of course material.
- For distance learning, lecture notes and recorded lectures will be delivered through Blackboard.
Learning activities include
- Individual work on question sheets and coursework assignment supported by tutorial sessions.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Completion of assessment task | 25 |
Lecture | 24 |
Follow-up work | 30 |
Tutorial | 12 |
Practical classes and workshops | 3 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 25 |
Revision | 31 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Continuous Assessment | 30% |
Final Assessment | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External