Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
ME50301 Digital design |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 50%, EX 50% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: To provide an understanding of: the use of CAD in the overall design process; the different types of modeller and their applications; the relevant communications and information technologies to support distributed working. To give experience in the use of CAD techniques.
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * Describe the different types of CAD modelling and communications systems, what they offer and their application to the overall design process; in particular to the design of machines/mechanisms. Understand the CAD requirements of typical companies. * Appreciate how CAD techniques can be applied to different application areas. Skills: Problem solving; numeracy; IT; working independently; written communication. Content: Computer aids for design, their relation to design needs, application to mechanism/machine design. Basic two and three dimensional drafting entities, manipulation, storage within system, transformations. Ideas of solid modelling, feature-based modelling, and constraint modelling. Graphics interface languages, parametrics. Communications technology: historical background, carriers, transmission; networks - LANs, WANs; standards - ISO, TCP/IP. Data representation and exchange: data and information in engineering; data types; mark-up languages; CAD data exchange. Computer-supported co-operative work (CSCW): dimensions of communication in design; classification of CSCW approaches; critical assessment of the technologies. Topics for self study that may be examined. |