436-357 Design/Control 1 - Environmental

Students will be expected to be familiar with material covered in 436-105 Engineering Communications, 436-203 Manufacturing Studies 1, 436-204 Systems Modelling and 436-221/ 436-223 Engineering Design and Materials 2/2E or equivalent.

Unit 1, Engineering Design: Upon completion of this unit, students will have an opportunity to undertake project work with a specifically environmental focus. This will enable students to gain a deep understanding of concepts and methods employed in assessing and moderating environmental impacts in the context of the wider design process. Students will be skilled in synthesising solutions to open-ended design problems at an intermediate level of complexity in mechanical engineering, and skilled in the management of design projects requiring the solution of such problems; have gained an appreciation of computer-based methods in concurrent design; have gained a deep understanding of the concepts and methods of designing for quality, of managing variability and of integrating design with downstream manufacturing operations.

Topics include concurrent design of systems and products: computer-based techniques for geometric modelling, materials selection, service simulations and representation of manufacturing knowledge; management of variability in product geometry and performance: tolerance technology in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D applications, techniques for robust design; and quality assurance in engineering design: life cycle design, quality function deployment, causal networks and failure modes and effects analyses, ISO 9001 and traceability of critical decisions.

Unit 2, Control: On completion of this unit students should be able to design simple control systems to start-up, shut-down and regulate the motion of a range of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic engineering systems commonly found in engineering practice, and to make effective use of computational aids for the design of these control systems.

Topics covered include sequence controllers, ladder diagrams, and PLCs; a review of mathematical representations of linear continuous dynamical systems, and of the relationships between model properties and system response characteristics; design specifications and strategies for linear control systems; and classical compensator design using root locus and frequency response techniques: lag, lead, lag-lead, PID, cascade and feedback compensation. Application of Matlab or similar software as a systems design tool.

Two examination papers not exceeding two hours each, tests, continuous assessment of projects, assignments and laboratory reports not exceeding 40 pages. All components of assessment must be satisfactorily completed to pass the subject. Students will be notified of the weighting of assessment components at the beginning of semester.