Aims and Fit of Module

This module delivers fundamentals and practical skills on design and development of general mechanical systems according to the specified objectives on performance, cost, safeness, environment protection, reliability, etc. 


Fundamentals cover the general knowledge regarding procedures of and relevant standards applicable to designing mechanical systems, including synthesis and analysis of mechanisms and machines, modelling of kinematics and dynamics, selection of appropriate mechanical elements with corresponding motion and load analyses, and finally the manufacturing processes related to the designed system involving part/component fabrication and assembly. 


Practical skills include mathematical modelling (e.g. statics and dynamics, motion/kinematics analysis, load and stress analysis, etc.), use of relevant CAD software and/or any other tool applicable for analysis and design.

Learning outcomes

A. Understand how the structure of materials affects the mechanical properties of those materials;

B. Understand and apply relevant standards regarding calculating principal stresses and deflections in mechanical systems, and identify the types of failure mechanisms possible in mechanical systems (ductile, brittle, fatigue, wear, etc.);

C. Design, model, and analyse mechanical elements, and analyse their lifetime;

D. Understand how to design, model, and analyse transmission system, and how to calculate stress in gears, and relevant standards;

E. Design simple mechanical systems using computer aided design software, to achieve the specified objectives on performance, cost, safeness, environment protection, reliability, and etc;

F. Understand the typical manufacturing processes for mechanical products and relevant standards, and how to design manufacturing processes for, e.g. a particular mechanical part and an assembly of a component.

Method of teaching and learning

This module will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures, tutorials and supervised laboratory sessions. Two coursework will be assigned in Week 5 and 10, respectively.