Mechanical Systems Design

This course involves a series of lectures on applying the process of engineering design. Students will learn to develop their ability in design while completing two design assignments. The first assignment involves a conceptual design task. This task description will be vague and incompletely specified. Students will gather and critically assess information required to clarify the task. During the process of conceptual design students will create alternative design solutions. These solutions will be evaluated and the most suitable design concept selected and developed. The second assignment involves an embodiment and detail design task. Students will start with an engineering concept and will evolve this concept towards a detailed technical system in which performance, reliability and economy are maximised. These objectives are achieved under the umbrella of two overriding objectives, namely, safety and sustainability.