EGB210 Fundamentals of Mechanical Design

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Mechanical Design forms the backbone of the Mechanical Engineering Degree. This unit is an introduction into Mechanical Design. It brings together fundamental engineering units such as Applied Mechanics, Mechanics of Solids, Fluid Mechanics and Materials Study and is a common unit for students studying Mechanical Engineering, Medical Engineering and Mechatronics. It will develop systematic knowledge and practice of methods of engineering problem solving, design procedures, design analysis, and introductory mechanical components design, highlighting the need for sustainable and contextually appropriate solutions. It lays the basis for advanced study in Mechanical Design.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Examine the fundamental scientific principles of mechanics and failure in the context of mechanical design of machine components, at a developing level.
2. Implement design modelling and analysis approaches within mechanical design of machine components, at a developing level.
3. Practice systematic approaches to engineering design and analysis within mechanical engineering design, at an introductory level.
4. Communicate engineering design and analysis procedures in mechanical engineering design, at an introduced level.
5. Implement key strategies for effective engineering teamwork for mechanical engineering design, at an introduced level.

Content

Learning Approaches

Teaching Mode: This (second) design unit in your course will use a combination of lectures, design workshops, and solid modelling classes with real world examples to realize the learning outcomes of the unit. The fundamental theories and principles will be introduced through active lectures. Problem solving tasks of varying levels of complexity will be structured to draw out the concepts covered in the lectures. Solid modelling lab exercises will enhance the learning experiences in this unit.

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

• Formal lectures from experienced professional engineers where short phases of content delivery alternate with in-class short-form problem solving aligning with each concept, as they are delivered. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
• Design workshops that will be carried out in the design laboratory where you are given a real machine component to measure, estimate appropriate loading scenario for using reason or operational measurement, carry out hand calculations on key characteristics of the design, and orally defend why your answer is reasonable to the supervising tutor.
• Practical computer class where the commercial software package Solidworks will be taught through guided screencasts with a corresponding modelling and technical drawing activities to be completed and reviewed by supervising tutors.

Your work in this unit will also form part of a Professional Portfolio (submitted in your final Project Unit) to assist you with work placements and employer interviews as evidence of your skills and competency.

At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator and Tutors.

You are expected to:

• Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
• Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
• Engage with your peers in a learning community to practice problem solving and then work independently to complete your assessment tasks.
• Prepare for timetabled classes and activities and follow up on any work not completed.
• Complete assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

1. Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item
2. Individual oral feedback on weekly journal (calculations and solid modelling work)
3. Comments returned to you via Canvas.
4. Lecture / consultation sessions may be available for group and individual feedback prior to assessment due dates and on completion of project tasks.
5. Generic comments provided via QUT Canvas and in class.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will be based on the following assessment tasks: a design laboratory journal (Workbook) for calculations and Solidworks models signed off weekly, a design and build gearbox project, and a final examination. These are designed to systematically develop technical, computer and applied design skills and include individual and teamwork, as well as self-study. You will get opportunity to practice and reflect on a range of marked assignments and project reports as well as on formative in-class exercises with feedback from peers and a tutor.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Workbook

You will keep a design workbook to record design calculations and Solidworks models that you will present to tutors at weekly design or computer labs for feedback and sign-off.

Assessment item is individual work and peer reviewed.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Project (applied)

In a group of up to five students, design and build a mechanical system to fulfil a set of design requirements and optimise performance, aligning with the component design content delivered in classes.

Write a team design and analysis report including technical engineering drawings.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Examination (written)

Students are responsible for material from lecture, tutorial, practical, and TEXT. One, 2-hour exam at the end of the semester will cover all aspects of the subject. The primary emphasis will be (i) problem identification, formulation and solution and (ii) demonstration of fundamentals of machine component design, (iii) application of machine component design and analysis to key problems. You are allowed to bring one A4 page of notes (written both sides) with your own summary and all necessary equations.

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

R.C. Juvinall, K.M. Marshek, Machine Component Design, 6th Ed. International Student Edition Version, Wiley (2017)

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, tutorials and such, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s Canvas site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Project (applied)
3. 
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied)

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
3. 
   Relates to: Project (applied)

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied)
2. 
   Relates to: Project (applied)

Course Learning Outcomes

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO5, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
2. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
   Relates to: ULO4, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
3. Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO5, Design Workbook, Project (applied)
4. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
   Relates to: ULO1, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
5. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
6. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
7. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)

EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
2. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
3. Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied)
4. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
5. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
6. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)
7. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Design Workbook, Project (applied), Examination (written)