MECHENG 334 : Design and Manufacture 3

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Good practice and standard methods in mechanical engineering design. Conceptual and detailed design in projects involving machine elements, engineering sciences and engineering mechanics. Some of the advanced computer-aided tools (e.g., CAD, CAM, CAE) will be introduced and utilised in some projects.

Course Overview

Topic Summary
  1. Virtual Prototyping and Mechanism Analysis 
      - Analysing the motion of a multi-component mechanism by manual and virtual means.
  2. Physical Prototyping Techniques 
      - Principles of 3D printing and laser cutting.
      - Design for 3D printing. 
  3. Additive Manufacturing
      - Additive manufacturing principles and economics.  
  4. Design with Finite Element Analysis
      - Proper use of CAE tools and simulation in engineering design.
      - Static Structural Analysis with ANSYS.
      - Design and test of a light-weight machine part considering multiple objectives.
  5. Design for Machining
      - Introduction to some CNC machine parameters, decisions and considerations.
     - CNC machine tool path design and simulation.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MECHENG 235, 236, 242

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering to develop mechanical motion systems giving regard to assembly. (Capability 3.1 and 5.1)
  2. Apply skills in relation to 3D printing and laser cutting. (Capability 3.1)
  3. Integrate multiple criteria and analysis approaches to develop engineering design solutions in a computer-aided engineering context. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)
  4. Apply finite element methods effectively in a mechanical design context. (Capability 3.1 and 5.1)
  5. Apply computer-aided manufacturing tools in a mechanical design context. (Capability 3.1)
  6. Work both individually and as part of a team to complete engineering design projects and communicate the results as reports. (Capability 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Projects 80% Group & Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Projects
Test

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy. A 1% reduction in the mark available for every 2 minutes a submission is late will be applied. Coursework extensions are not granted without a good reason, such as illness, a compassionate condition or a significant disruption beyond the student's control. Written evidence may be asked for before a coursework extension is given. Having other course submissions or tests around the same time are not valid reasons to ask for a coursework extension. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course, and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course they are enrolled in.

For each week in this course, the student can expect up to 2 hours of lectures, with the remaining 8 hours being spent in tutorials, reading and thinking about the content, working on assignments, and preparing for the test.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Course Delivery

  • 2 x 1-hr lectures most weeks
  • 1 x 2-hr tutorials most weeks
  • 2-4 hrs of testing and demonstration sessions

Attendance is required at certain scheduled activities including the final test to complete and receive credit for components of the course. Some activities can be done either on campus or remotely; however, students choosing not to attend on campus will have fewer opportunities to interact with teaching staff and get help.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. However, not all lecture slots will be used.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the University's Health and Safety policy. Laboratory inductions may be required. Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students have agreed over the years they are generally satisfied with the course. Common challenges identified in the Student Evaluation of Teaching survey in 2024 were the intimidating level of CAD for project A, Finite Element Analysis of project B, open-ended nature of both projects, and the lack of answers to previous test questions. Based on the 2024 SET evaluation, the lecturers will try to provide more CAD support, arrange FEA help through the tutors, define both projects more clearly, and try to provide answers for previous tests.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.