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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


ME30294: Product design and development

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 50%, EX 50%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: ME30294 Re-Assessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take ME20025 and take ME20026
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To illustrate the stages of product design processes, methods for creativity and styling, awareness of human factors and ergonomics.
To provide awareness of the product design discipline and typical activities undertaken.
To introduce strategic, cultural, organisational and technological aspects of product development in a global context, including consideration of knowledge management issues, models of the new product introduction (NPI) process, management of the NPI process, product development strategies, sustainable development issues.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Describe typical product design processes; appreciate user requirements such as style, form and interaction.
* Identify the key elements of successful products.
* Describe the historic context of global product development.
* Outline strategic, organisational, human and cultural factors that should be taken into account when developing products for a global market.
* Describe approaches to sustainable design.

Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently; written communication.

Content:
Product design: user requirements, form, styling, functionality. Creativity, concept generation, concept evaluation. Human factors, ergonomics. Examples of successful products and best practice. Product development: historical and cultural context. Human aspects: communities of practice; critical situations; methods for knowledge sharing, cultural issues. Strategic aspects: managing the design process; product platform and strategy; mass customisation; late and local configuration, issues of and approaches to sustainable development. Topics for self study that could be examined.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

ME30294 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFB41 : BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKB41 : BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • UEME-AFB38 : BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKB38 : BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • UEME-AFM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • UEME-AFM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • UEME-AFM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Thick Sandwich) - Year 4
  • TEME-AFM10 : MSc Engineering Design (Full-time) - Year 1

ME30294 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM05 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM05 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM06 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM06 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • TEME-AFM16 : MSc Manufacturing Engineering (Full-time) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.