Undergraduate Teaching 2023-24

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4C5: Design Case Studies, 2021-22

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4C5: Design Case Studies, 2021-22

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Module Leader

Dr N Crilly

Lecturers

Prof J Clarkson and Dr N Crilly

Lab Leader

Dr N Crilly

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lecture slots, including lectures, group discussion and time for coursework. Assessment: 100% coursework

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of engineering design
  • illustrate the relationship between requirements, functions and solutions
  • illustrate the importance of considering risk, error and safety
  • illustrate the importance of understanding users and the contexts they operate in
  • illustrate how to design for users' needs and preferences
  • achieve the above through case studies of industrial systems and consumer products.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • demonstrate the skills and knowledge listed under each coursework element.

Content

The course will be based on two case studies. Each case study will occupy eight lectures slots with the last one or two in each case study being used for coursework.

Topics to be covered within individual case studies include: multi-disciplinary systems design; component selection; risk analysis; product testing; design for manufacture and assembly; user research; aesthetics; ergonomics; branding. Notes will be handed out summarising the main points covered in each case study.

Coursework

There will be a coursework exercise linked to each of the case studies with multi-part written assignments, using computer software where appropriate.

Coursework Format

Due date

& marks

Industrial System

The purpose of this case study is to expose students to the complete design process for an inhaler test machine.

Learning objectives:

After completing this coursework, students should be able to

  • analyse and develop functional requirements for multi-disciplinary systems
  • identify solution principles and components from catalogues, and combine them to fulfil system requirements
  • identify and analyse risks associated with the development and delivery of multi-disciplinary systems.

Two individual reports.

Anonymously marked

Approximately Weeks 2 and 4 (exact date TBD)

[30/60]

Consumer Product

The purpose of this case study is to expose students to a research and development process for a design concept focussed on recreational use (sports, hobbies and pastimes).

Learning objectives:

After completing this coursework, students should be able to

  • research, analyse and describe the needs of users in specific product usage scenarios
  • analyse, develop and justify decisions about product form and function in relation to user preferences and branding constraints
  • analyse, develop and justify decisions about product form and function in relation to principles of physical and cognitive ergonomics.

One individual report.

Anonymously marked

Approximately Week 9 (exact date TBD)

[30/60]

 

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 24/05/2021 08:44

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