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Study information

Mechanical Design and Build: Part 1 - Research - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEMechanical Design and Build: Part 1 - Research CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3008A MODULE CONVENERProf Tim Holsgrove (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 27
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

To be successful in any industry requires a keen awareness of the commercial landscape in which you operate. Mechanical engineering is no different; in this project you and your team will complete a hands-on design and build project that challenges you to develop, prototype and explore the market for a solution to a Mechanical engineering challenge. This project emphasis the combination of commercial awareness and the application of sound engineering knowledge. You will have creative freedom and be encouraged to develop innovative engineering solutions to real-world problems and market opportunities.

This project will put you and your team in the enviable position of having the time and resources to deploy your creativity and engineering knowledge towards a commercial opportunity of your choice. Will your project lead to the next innovation in bagless vacuum cleaners, will you develop a machine to autonomously collect plastic from the worlds oceans, or will you identify a market opportunity to develop the next must tool or gadget?

AIMS - intentions of the module

This project will not only focus on technical challenge, of equal importance is identifying a viable commercial opportunity and strategy to capitalise on it. This project aims to broaden your appreciation for the commercial realities that all engineering activities must face. It’s no  good creating a world beating product that nobody wants to pay for! In this project you will need to deploy more than technical engineering knowledge.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

ILO #1 carry out market research in order to identify commercial opportunities and assess potential market demand C1

ILO #2 use technical engineering knowledge to propose innovative product improvements or problem solutions C1, C2

ILO #3 demonstrate greater commercial awareness in the context of product development C1, C2

ILO #4 develop and manage a multi-strand programme of research and development C1, C2

ILO #5 develop a design proposal that meets set requirements C1, C2

ILO #6 demonstrate good communication skills C1, C1, C2, C3

ILO #7 verbally present information in a confident and professional manner C2

ILO #8 condense a large amount of technical information into a compelling and concise report form C2, C3

ILO #9 use data to make evidence-based decisions and logical arguments C1, C2, C3

ILO #10 estimate costs and track a development budget C2, C3

AHEP ILOs - MEng

All attribute values mapped against this module: D1m, D2m, ET2m, ET6m, ET7m, EP1m, EP9m, EP2m, EA3m, EA4m, EA5m, D4m, D8m, EP8m, EP10m, D5m, D7m, ET3m, EP11m, G1m, G3m, G4m, D6m, EA6m, ET4m, ET5m,
 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • Identification and investigation of a technical challenge and market opportunity - identify a ‘pain point’ that you and your team have the ability to address
  • Identify any existing solutions and their limitations - who/what if anything is currently solving this problem and where/how are they vulnerable to disruption?
  • Identify a differentiating innovation to an existing solution or propose a new solution with an outline scheme design or proposal for innovation
  • Investigate the potential market size and demand for your improved solution through traditional market research including direct outreach. Ask potential customers if your solution a vitamin (“nice to have, but I don’t really need it” ) or a pain killer (“where do I sign up…take my money”)
  • Produce a costed development plan to implement in part two of this project (term 2)
  • Build a case for securing funding to develop the product and bring it to market. Present an outline business case and pitch it to an investor panel
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 18 Guided Independent Study 132 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Lecture 2 Initial project kick-off lecture
Tutorial 11 Weekly one hour troubleshooting surgery session
Lecture 5 Case study lecture and discussion
Independent Study 132 Project development work

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Regular surgery sessions will provide feedback via group meetings held with module lecturers.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
C1 - Research, product design specification and conceptual design group presentation 30 15 min 1-7, 9 Verbal feedback, marking rubric and written comments

C2 - Development Technical Report - Individual 

50 8 pages 2-6, 8-10 Marking rubric and written/audio comments
C3 - Development Technical Report - Group Executive Summary 20 2 pages + 6 pages appendices 6, 8-10 Marking rubric and written/audio comments

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
C1

Research, product design specification and conceptual design individual pre-recorded 6 min video presentation (30%) 

1-7, 9 Augst Ref/Def Period
C2 and C3 Design development executive summary (1 page) and technical report (8 pages) (70%) 2-6, 8-10 Augst Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be to complete a design project based on a design brief that will be provided to students by the module lead. This will be worth 100% of the module and will be assessed by two coursework submissions, comprising a video presentation of research, product design specification and design concepts (30%), and a design report covering the embodiment design (70%). For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Simmons, C Maguire, D, Phelps, N Manual of engineering drawing: Technical product specification and documentation to British and international standards 4th 2012
Set Hurst, K. S. Engineering design principles 1999
Set Dym, Clive L. and Brown, David C. Engineering design: Representation and reasoning 2012
Set Charter, Martin Designing for the circular economy 2019
Set Norman, Don The Design of Everyday Things Revised and Expanded Edition MIT Press 2013 10: 0262525674
Set Simmons, C., Maguire, D. E., Phelps, Neil Manual of Engineering Drawing to British and International Standards 3rd 2009
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 1st September 2020 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 18th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.