84712 Product Engineering
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 84117 Product Design Communication B
Description
An understanding of manufacturing and industry knowledge in connection with structure, materials and processes must be applied in the design and development of new products. This subject introduces students to a range of structural and manufacturing principles as they relate to product design, including (where appropriate) mechanics and electronics. Through a series of projects, design-thinking supports the exploration of technical approaches to the functional aspects of future-orientated products, systems and interfaces, both conceptually and in the establishment of efficient physical forms. Aptitude in the ability to innovate, experiment and rationalise solution concepts that appropriately consider these technical aspects is developed through the practice of design skills, including sketching, prototyping and collaboration to produce designs that are ecologically responsible, technically feasible and operationally intuitive for the end-user.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Establish the fundamental knowledge of manufacturing and engineering as it applies to integrated product design. |
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| 2. | Apply engineering drafting standards relevant to product manufacture. |
| 3. | Communicate design attributes through iterative design development. |
| 4. | Justify and articulate the links between concept, design, manufacture and commercialisation. |
| 5. | Present design work to a professional standard. |
| 6. | Integrate engineering elements into an original design aesthetic. |
| 7. | Utilise 3D printing as a way to verify CAD data, confirm production details and communicate design intent. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrated engagement with ideas and learning (A.1)
- Effective written and oral communication skills (C.1)
- Effective visual communication skills (C.2)
- Effective tangible 3D representation (C.3)
- Demonstrated ability for problem setting and problem solving (I.1)
- Industry specific practical and digital skills (P.1)
- Accuracy, rigour and care (P.2)
- Ability to self-manage, including task initiation, allocation of time and realisation of outcomes (P.3)
- Analyse complex contexts for design (R.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject uses the problem based learning strategy that involves students in researching and developing their own solutions to complex design challenges. The subject uses design professionals as studio leaders to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context.
This subject includes active and collaborative learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in all on campus engagements such as, studios and CAD labs. It is therefore imperative that students prepare for and attend all on campus engagements according to the Program.
Pre-recorded lectures will provide knowledge relevant to the subject that will enable students to work on their design projects. The knowledge provided is information on the principles of manufacturing, materials and basic engineering as core elements of integrated product design practice. Prior to each studio students will be required to review a pre-recorded lecture online and prepare questions for the studio leader relating to the weekly lecture content and the design projects they are working on. The weekly lecture is listed in the Program and all pre-recorded lectures are available via Canvas.
In the studios students will work on their design projects with a studio leader. At the beginning of each studio the studio leader will discuss with the entire group the challenges they are facing with their projects. The studio leader will then prompt students faced by similar challenges to form small groups to facilitate collaborative discussions. The studio leader will be reviewing the work weekly and will provide feedback verbally. It will be the students responsibly to record any feedback provided in studio. During pin-up presentations students will be expected to actively participate in collaborative peer review feedback exercises.
The CAD computer labs are provided to support students in the development of their designs for discussion in studio. Prior to each CAD computer lab students will be required to prepare questions for the studio leader in relation to the design projects they are working on.
Students will also be supported by the level 2, Faculty Workshop in the construction of presentation models and prototypes.
Grades, marks and feedback on final design submissions will be provided through Canvas.
Content (topics)
- Manufacturing and material technologies
- Structure in component design
- Production geometry
- Assembly methods in manufacturing
- Industrial design process
- Free-hand sketching and drawing
- 3D Printing and modelling
- Engineering drawing
- Computer aided design and rendering
- Branding and strategy
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Consumer Product
| Intent: | This task is assessed by your Tuesday studio leaders. Please note: The Studio is to be understood as a professional working environment, make sure you are on time and stay for the duration. Please avoid having distracting apps such as gaming, social media, etc. running in the background on any of your devices. We will not review or give feedback on any work shown to us on a screen, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer. All 2D work must be shown to us in printed hard copy, on paper and this includes photos and CAD renderings. We must do it this way so we can physically sketch over the work we are reviewing and discuss design details with you. We will not review or give feedback on photos of models. All 3D objects such as foam models and sketch models must be physically brought to studio. We must do it this way so we can physically feel and interact with the form and discuss design details with you. Plan ahead and prepare your work before attending studio. Overview A design project to develop and assess the students' understanding of how to create parts and assemblies for manufacture that also meet a commercial requirement - specifically the attributes of a brand that mesh with the necessary aesthetic, ergonomic and operational parameters of the design. Aim To develop an original hand-held consumer product for a particular brand. Parameters You will be assigned either a Stickmixer or an Electric Drill as your main design project. One of the challenges is to design a product for a brand that is looking to compete in a market that is new to them. For this project, you are asked to design an AEG-branded Stickmixer or a Breville-branded Electric Drill. You will be required to research, design and detail a design solution that will include; a high-quality foam model, visual boards, engineering drawings and a verbal presentation. You will be required to consider carefully the design of components in terms of production feasibility, brand aesthetics, housings for internal parts, overall form for ergonomic appropriateness and general attention to issues of ecological sustainability. Deliverables For this submission, you must produce and present: Part 1 Concept 1. A high-quality 1:1 Foam Model. Make a smooth and accurate physical model (not painted!) to evaluate your concept in terms of general appearance and ergonomic appropriateness. 2. A high-quality 1:1 Scale Layout Drawing. Page size; A3. In orthographic format include the minimum views of; Front, Top and Side plus the three overall dimensions. This drawing should be created using 2D software such as Adobe Illustrator and must be in black and white, different line weights and grey shading are encouraged. Print the page onto A3 paper for submission in studio and upload a digital copy to Canvas. 3. A high-quality Concept Rendering. Page size; A3. Produce a one-page visual presentation of your concept, in colour and include at least one perspective view. Submit original in studio and upload a digital version to Canvas. Part 2 Final Design For this submission, you must produce and present: 1. Two Presentation Boards formatted in accordance with guidelines (see below). Using your CAD model as the foundation, generate a professional presentation of your final design using rendering programs such as KeyShot assisted by Photoshop and Illustrator for visual adjustments and the application of annotations, logos, etc. The presentation is intended to explain the key features of your design and generate enthusiasm for the new direction of your brand. Don't forget to add hands to your renderings to demonstrate user interaction and show reference to scale. Guideline for Presentation Boards:
2. Part Drawing of one shell (or side) of your consumer product. The drawing is to be to AS1100 standard convention and fully dimensioned. The drawing must be developed in Solidworks based on your accurate CAD model. There must be a demonstrated understanding of design for manufacture evident in your drawing made explicit through enlarged details and sectional views. NOTE: Digital copies of both the Presentation Boards and Part Drawing will need to be uploaded to Canvas. Please note: All due dates are listed in the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, C.1, C.2, C.3, P.1 and P.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Functional Prototype and Knowledge Review
| Intent: | This task is assessed by your Thursday studio leaders. Please note: The Studio is to be understood as a professional working environment, make sure you are on time and stay for the duration. Please avoid having distracting apps such as gaming, social media, etc. running in the background on any of your devices. We will not review or give feedback on any work shown to us on a screen, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer. All 2D work must be shown to us in printed hard copy, on paper and this includes photos and CAD renderings. We must do it this way so we can physically sketch over the work we are reviewing and discuss design details with you. We will not review or give feedback on photos of models. All 3D objects such as foam models and sketch models must be physically brought to studio. We must do it this way so we can physically feel and interact with the form and discuss design details with you. Plan ahead and prepare your work before attending studio. Overview A design project to develop and assess the students' understanding of how to create product assemblies that are structurally sound and functional. Aim To design and make a product that fully functions as intended and is made up of at least 3 parts. You can choose between a Tape Dispenser, a Citrus Fruit Juicer or a Salt shaker/dispenser. Deliverables These items are due at various stages of the project: Part 1 Concepts 1. A set of 3 high-quality 1:1 Sketch Models made from any material (not painted!). Make 3 physical sketch models with key features that differ from one to the next. All 3 can be of the same concept but should show exploration of the concept in different ways. These sketch models don't need to be fully functional but they need to be made well enough so your concept can be reviewed in terms of general appearance, manual interaction and structural integrity. 2. 3 high-quality 1:1 Scale Layout Drawings. Page size; A3. In orthographic format include the minimum views of; Front, Top and Side plus the three overall dimensions. This drawing should be created using 2D software such as Adobe Illustrator and must be in black and white, different line weights and grey shading are encouraged. Print pages onto A3 paper for submission in studio and upload digital copies to Canvas. Part 2 Functioning Prototype 1. A high-quality 1:1 scale Functioning Prototype (not painted!) together with either a roll of tape, a citrus fruit or salt. At least one significant part (such as the main body) of your functional prototype must be 3D printed. Your functional prototype must fully function as intended and be made up of at least 3 parts. One part 3D printed (the main part), one part tape, fruit or salt, and all other parts can be made from anything. Submit by bringing your prototype to class. 2. A high-quality Product Rendering. Page size; A3. Produce a one-page visual presentation of your product, in colour and include at least one perspective view. Submit by uploading a digital version to Canvas. 3. General Assembly (GA) Drawing. The assembled product must be represented in a GA prepared to AS1100 standard convention. The drawing must be developed in Solidworks based on your accurate CAD model. The GA must represent the placement of internal parts. There must be a demonstrated understanding of design for manufacture evident in the GA made explicit through enlarged details and sectional views. The tape, fruit or salt is to be represented as a part on your GA. Submit by uploading a digital version to Canvas. Part 3 Knowledge Review Multiple choice exam completed in the first hour of your last Thursday studio in week 12. This is an open-book exam and questions will be drawn from material delivered in the lecture series. Please note: All due dates are listed in the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, C.2, C.3, I.1, P.1 and P.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Structure and basic manufacturing in product design
| Intent: | This task is assessed by your Friday CAD lab leader. Please note: The CAD Lab is to be understood as a professional working environment. Make sure you are on time and stay for the duration. We also will not tolerate any distracting apps such as gaming, social media, etc. running in the background on either the Lab desktops computers or personal laptops. Overview A design project to develop and assess the students' understanding of structure and basic manufacturing principles as an integrated part of product design process through digital modelling and production methods such as CAD and 3D printing. Aim To develop a digital CAD assembly of your Consumer Product (Assessment task 1). Deliverables These items are due at various stages of the project: Part 1 Build a CAD file of an existing component. For this submission you must produce and upload to Canvas: A CAD model of an injection moulded or die cast component. You are to physically disassemble an existing consumer product and select a component with complex geometry. Before you commence CAD modelling you must verify that your chosen component is suitable for this task with your studio leader. Submit your physical component the week after Part 1 is due. Part 2 SolidWorks assembly of your Consumer Product. For this submission you must produce and upload to Canvas: A zipped folder containing the Solidworks assembly file of your consumer product, all individual part files and any referenced source/multibody part files. Please note: All due dates are listed in the program. | ||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 2 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): P.3 and R.2 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Each project includes an assessment criteria that grades the students level of commitment and engagement in class and to the subject generally. Poor, unexplained attendance at any stage during the semester will certainly mean that the student will receive a fail grade for this criteria, significantly affecting their overall subject grade.
Required texts
Thompson, R. 2007, Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals, Thames & Hudson, London
Recommended texts
Kuprenas, J. and Frederick, M. 2013, 101 Things I Learned in Engineering School, Grand Central Publishing, NY
Malloy, R. A. 2011, Plastic Part Design for Injection Moulding: An Introduction, 2nd. Ed., Hanser, München
Ivanoff, V., 1998. Mechanical engineering science, an introduction. Sydney: Mc Graw Hill.
Norman, E., Cubitt, J., Urry, S. & Whttaker, M., 2000. Advanced Design and Technology 3rd Ed. London: Longman.
Wyatt, K., J., 2002. Principles of Structure, revised ed., UNSW Press.
Lefteri, C., 2007. Making it: Manufacturing techniques for product design. London: Laurence King.
Ashby, M. & Johnson, K., 2002. Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product design.
Burlington MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lesko, J., 2008. Materials and Manufacturing guide – Industrial Design 2nd Ed. John Wiley and sons.
Williams, R.A., 1993. Engineering drawing handbook. Sydney: Standards Australia.
Shigley, J.E., Mischke, C.R., 1996. Standard Handbook of Machine Design 2nd Ed. Mc Graw Hill.
Oberg, E., Jones, F.D., Horton, H.L. & Ryfell, H.H., 2000. Machinery’s Handbook 26th Ed. Industrial Press.
Olofsson, E. & Sjolen, K., 2005. Design Sketching 2nd Ed. Sweden: KEEOS Design Books AB.