Unit 1: Engineering Design

The tremendous possibilities of the techniques and processes developed by engineers can only be realised by great design. Design turns an idea into a useful artefact, the problem into a solution, or something ugly and inefficient into an elegant, desirable, and cost-effective everyday object. Without a sound understanding of the design process, the engineer works in isolation without the links between theory and the needs of the end user.
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes as an individual or part of a design team; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need.
Among the topics included in this unit are: Gantt charts and critical path analysis, stakeholder requirements, market analysis, design process management, technical drawing, modelling and prototyping, manufacturability, sustainability and environmental impact, reliability, safety and risk analyses, and ergonomics.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to prepare an engineering design specification that satisfies stakeholders’ requirements, implement best practices when analysing and evaluating possible design solutions, prepare a written technical design report, and present their finalised design to a customer or audience.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
LO1 Create a design specification for a given design brief that meets stakeholder’s requirements, along with a proposed design solution
LO2 Analyse possible technical solutions to implement the proposed design specification
LO3 Produce a design report considering all key aspects including manufacturability (or design for manufacturing and assembly) and environmental impact
LO4 Present the design solution to an audience, including evaluation of feedback and future improvements.