ME3525 - Mechanical Design

Students will apply the fundamentals of mechanical design and analysis techniques learnt to date, within the design of real world mechanical systems; specifically, the design of specific components of the JCU Motorsport Formula SAE vehicle. Emphasis will be placed on clear design procedure, rigorous design analysis including 'ball park' hand calculations, finite element analysis including fatigue and failure investigations, application of Australian and International standards, and complete and concise design communication in the form of a design report, seminar and manufacturing specifications. New skills learnt in this subject include techniques for effectively working in a team setting, and lessons in the use of commercial 3D drawing packages to communicate design detail. The first section of the course addresses group work and provides a workshop setting to discuss and work through some of the common challenges with working productively in team situations. The second workshop component teaches the use of the 3D drawing package SolidWorks in the design, analysis and communication of mechanical design. In addition there will be several external industry guest lecturers from engineers from Rockfield Technologies Australia (RTA) who work extensively in design and analysis for industry. These lectures will detail good design workflow and industry standard design report writing skills. A manufacturing consultation is also organized.

Learning Outcomes

• systematically implement engineering design techniques to a real world mechanical design project, incorporating preliminary and detailed design phases and advanced engineering analysis (EAC1.3a, EAC1.4a,b, EAC1.6a, EAC2.1a-e, EAC2.2a-g, EAC2.3a,c);
• apply teamwork, management and leadership skills in the solution of a complex and dynamic design problem and practice formal techniques for productive team interactions (EAC2.4a, EAC3.6a,b,c,f);
• develop practical experience using commercial engineering solid modelling /drawing packages to create, analyse, evolve and effectively communicate design specifications, particularly for manufacture (EAC1.2a, EAC2.2d);
• analyse all specific factors affecting the design task at hand and identify and implement any and all appropriate standards and rules available, incorporating these as key elements in design process (EAC1.5b, EAC1.6b, EAC2.1f, EAC2.3b);
• implement effective written and oral communication skills to formally report the design process, analysis and outcomes achieved (EAC3.2a,b).

Subject Assessment

• quizzes or tests (10%)
• major design report (50%)
• dimension and preliminary design report (10%)
• group and solidworks workshops sessions are mandatory (5%)
• project seminar (10%)
• manufacturing schematics/quotes (15%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.