436-203 Manufacturing Studies 1

Students will be expected to be familiar with material covered in 436-105 Engineering Communications, 436-101 Engineering Mechanics and Materials.

Unit 1, Introduction to Manufacturing Processes: Upon completion, students should understand the basic principles, objectives and performance characteristics of some major methods of shaping components; understand the variables affecting the performance of the various processes and the process capabilities as a basis for simultaneous engineering and a more advanced study of manufacturing processes.

Topics covered include principles, performance characteristics and process selection of manufacturing processes; and casting, moulding and other forming, bulk deformation processes, material removal, finishing and fabrication.

Unit 2, Engineering Economics: Upon completion, students should understand how engineers contribute to business (including costing and financial management), have acquired knowledge for measuring economic performance of people, be aware of competitive methods, be able to assess equipment purchase proposals, cost a design and comprehend the principal ingredients required to manufacture and manage efficiently.

Topics covered include supply and demand, theory of the firm, methods of competing and increasing gross margin, break-even calculations, sources of income, capital and operating expenditure; preparation of budgets and performance measurements, profit and loss, balance sheet, funds movement and cash budget; organisation charts and corporate structure; operation of service departments, decision making and personal communications; and costing of designs and services, criteria for equipment purchase and management information systems.

Two examinations not exceeding two hours each; tutorial problem sheets and laboratory reports of up to 50 pages. Students will be notified of the weighting of assessment components at the beginning of semester.