436-359 Control/Forming

436-203 Manufacturing Studies, 436-204 Systems Modelling or equivalents, 436-220/1 Engineering Design and Materials 1/1E and 436-222/3 Engineering Design and Materials 2/2E.

Unit 1, Control: Upon 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; classical compensator design using root locus and frequency response techniques: lag, lead, lag-lead, PID, cascade and feedback compensation; and application of Matlab or similar software as a systems design tool.

Unit 2, Forming Processes: Drawing on the second-year introduction, students completing this course should be able to predict main forming parameters, such as loads, pressures and work of deformation and have the ability to design tooling for selected metal forming processes.

Topics covered include metals: metal forming as a system, metal forming processes including sheet metal forming, drawing forging, net shape manufacturing; process modelling; tools and material used in forming processes; ceramics and powder metallurgy: types of technical ceramics, applications, pressing, plastic forming, injection moulding and casting; drying and firing; powder metallurgy processes, metal-matrix composites.

Two 2-hour examinations (60%), group and individual assignments, laboratory and tutorial work not exceeding 20 pages including computations, diagrams, tables and computer output (40%). All components of assessment must be satisfactorily completed to pass the subject. Students will be notified of the weighting of the non-examination assessment components at the beginning of semester.