41066 Mechanical Systems Design Studio 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): (41060 Mechanical Design Fundamentals Studio 2 OR 41059 Mechanical Design Fundamentals Studio 1 OR 48600 Mechanical Design 1) AND (43014c Applied Mechanics and Design B OR 43015c Thermofluids B OR 43016c Materials and Manufacturing B OR 43017c Machines and Mechanisms B OR 43018c Dynamic Systems and Control B OR 41301c Industrial Engineering OR 41302c Additive Manufacturing 1)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.

Description

The focus of this studio is to develop skills in critique in the interpretation of designs and application of decision-making processes in the context of modern engineering design. Understanding the fit, form and function of key design elements is critical to interpretation of reasoning and decision making in engineering design. It also extends to the use of design analysis undertake to improve on existing designs through iteration. To achieve this students apply processes in reverse engineering to break a design down into its constituent parts to discover the concepts utilised in its design and manufacture. Students are expected to use engineering principles to analyse the system and provide engineering critique on the suitability of the design. Using the knowledge developed from this process a second-generation design is produced, with suitable reasoning and justification as to how this design improves on previous versions.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Conduct a design problem analysis and scoping, including justification of socio-technical requirements, uncertainties and risks. (B.1.)
2.	Reverse-engineer components that contribute to the solution of a system-level Mechanical Design problem. (C.1)
3.	Evaluate design solutions using Mechanical Design skills and strategies. (D.1)
4.	Evidence contribution on delivering the team’s project plan, re-design elements and project deliverables. (E.1)
5.	Reflect on leadership, influence and impact relating to progress on individual capabilities. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

• Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
• Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
• Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
• Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
• Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

• 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
• 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
• 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
• 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
• 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
• 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
• 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
• 3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
• 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
• 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
• 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
• 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
• 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject runs in a studio format where students work collaboratively on challenges that mimic real-world projects in Mechanical Systems Design. Projects are executed in a low-risk, positive environment, under guidance from academic, and/or tutor experts.

Students should commit to working 8 to 10 hours each week for 12 weeks, preferably with their group members, on-campus, if possible, to meet all the Subject Learning Objectives to the Performance Standards to pass the subject. This includes 3 hours of studio workshops, 1-3 hour of accessing online resources, and weekly group meetings outside of class, and individual study/project work.

Attendance is expected at each of the face-to-face or remote facilitated sessions, 3 hours per week. The first session sets the tone and scene for the upcoming 12 weeks. Assessment is designed so that turning up is integral to passing the subject, in that, communication, collaboration, feedback and reflection cannot be completed in isolation of group participation.

The 12-week semester is organised into 4 sprints: week 3, week 6, week 9 and week 12. At the end of each sprint, a submission is required. The submissions are named Artefacts 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

The final submission is an Engineering Design Portfolio (EDF), evidencing all 4 artefacts and their respective reflections. Essentially, the learning is organised so that students have ample opportunities to demonstrate how technically proficient they are at individually designing components and how they work as a team to bring these components together into a (working) mechanical design. All groups will participate in weekly tasks where work targets are set and delivered. This will include scheduled times where the whole group comes together to critique progress and to plan the next submission targets. Expert facilitators and student peers will be present to guide progress and to provide constructive feedback on each group’s progress to inform improved performance towards the next sprint. These reviews must be documented in each student´s design portfolio. At each sprint submission, a Performance Levels rubric is used so that students can gauge their own progress and discuss this with studio mentors in the form of feedback and advice. How feedback is applied is recorded at each opportunity as student reflections.

Verbal communication and collaboration between students and facilitators are an essential part of any real-world design challenge or project development, particularly during the sprints each week.

Content (topics)

Application Studio challenges will vary. Details will be provided on Canvas. This subject will focus on the assessment and re-engineering of components within a system design context and build the capacity to use critique as an effective method for developing and improving engineering design, as well as improving resilience and creativity in design. Resources on these topics will be provided both online and in studio sessions.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Engineering Design Portfolio (EDP)

Intent:	To simulate the real-world of practice by curating a collection of artefacts to meet requirements.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1
Type:	Portfolio
Groupwork:	Group, group and individually assessed
Weight:	100%
Length:	Each submission should be a visually rich document and be of an appropriate length to document tasks, justify decision-making and provide reflection, as well as other specified outputs. As a guide, the EDP submission should be no longer than 15-20 pages.

Minimum requirements

Students are required to achieve a minimum pass grade in the assessment of their EDP to pass this subject. Grading will be based on a learning contract developed in conjunction with facilitators, where learning objectives and how these will be achieved will be determined.