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Unit outline_

MECH8660: Manufacturing Engineering

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

The unit aims to teach the fundamentals of manufacturing processes and systems in mechanical, mechatronic and biomedical engineering, including traditional and advanced manufacturing technologies. This unit aims to develop the following attributes: to understand the fundamental principles of manufacturing technologies for the above mentioned engineering areas; to gain the ability to select existing manufacturing processes and systems for direct engineering applications; to develop ability to create innovative new manufacturing technologies for advanced industrial applications; to develop ability to invent new manufacturing systems. At the end of this unit students will have a good understanding of the following: merits and advantages of individual manufacturing processes and systems; principles of developing new technologies; comprehensive applications and strategic selection of manufacturing processes and systems. Course content will include: CAD / CAM: An introduction into the use of CAD and manual CNC coding as separate tools combined with an introduction into the kinematics and structural requirements in the construction of a CNC machine. Rapid Engineering: An introduction into the most current Rapid Engineering methods currently in use. Manufacturing Processes: Common processes and their science (machining, casting, powder metallurgy, metal working, welding) and their relative merits and limitations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MECH9660
Assumed knowledge
? 

MECH9400 Mechanical Design 1

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Karina Taylor, karina.taylor@sydney.edu.au
Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Benedict Wilson, benedict.wilson@sydney.edu.au
Justin Wootton, justin.wootton@sydney.edu.au
Thai Nguyen, thai.nguyen@sydney.edu.au
Md Musharraf Hossain, m.hossain@sydney.edu.au
Freddy Caro Diaz, freddy.carodiaz@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Rapid Engineering Laboratory
Group Report and video submission
10% Multiple weeks Report and video no longer than 90 sec.
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Assignment group assignment Robot Assembly Laboratory
Group Video submissions of the UR5 robot and the use of V-Rep.
10% Multiple weeks Video submissions no longer than 90 sec.
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO14
Assignment Assignment 1 - Computer Numerical Control and Automation
Report and LabVIEW File Submission
20% Week 05
Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Apr 2022
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment Assignment 2 - Manufacturing Processes and Automation
Report and LabVIEW File Submission
20% Week 10
Due date: 06 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 May 2022
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment CNC Laboratory
Refer to the CANVAS module on the Virtual CNC Mill Laboratory.
10% Week 12
Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Jun 2022
90 mins.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment group assignment Project - Machine Design, Manufacturing and Automation
Group Project - Incorporating Machine Design and Automation
30% Week 13
Due date: 27 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 Jun 2022
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1: Assignment 1 has two parts and incorporates the content of the early part of the unit of study from the areas of CNC machining and automation systems using LabVIEW. Assignment 1 is an individual assignment. 
  • Assignment 2: Assignment 2 has two parts and requires students to compare manufacturing processes in the design of a component and automation system using LabVIEW. Assignment 2 is an individual assignment. 
  • Report: A Group report and combines elements of Machine Design, Manufacturing and Automation.

  • Rapid engineering laboratory: A group report focusing on the rapid engineering laboratory and individual research must be submitted no later than two weeks of attending the rapid engineering laboratory.
  • Robotic assembly laboratory: A group video focusing on the robotic pick and place assembly laboratory must be submitted via the CANVAS ARC video submission system.
  • CNC Machining laboratory: Attendance of the CNC demonstration and a small online module to reinforce the experience.
  • Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a high standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

Awarded when students do not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Non-contact independent work doing research, homework, and working on assignments, group meetings and prior readings across multiple weeks Independent study (78 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 01 1. Introduction to Unit of Study and CNC Machining; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Introduction to Automation and Testing Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 02 1. CNC Machining; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Data Acquisition Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 03 1. Cutting Forces plus Jigs and Fixtures; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Analogue Sampling Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 04 1. CNC Machining - Structure and Kinematics of CNC machines; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Data Processing Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 05 1. CNC Machining Review Lecture; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Software Developments - Design Patterns Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 06 1. Manufacturing Processes - Casting; 2. 2. Manufacturing Automation - Automated Inspection Systems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 07 1. Manufacturing Processes - Casting Part 2; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Automated Inspection Systems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 08 1. Manufacturing Processes - Shrink Fits; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Finding Measurements in VBAI Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 09 1. Manufacturing Processes - Welding Part 1; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Measurements and OCR in VBAI Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 10 1. Manufacturing Processes - Metal Forming Thin; 2. Manufacturing Automation - VBAI Tools and Vision Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 11 1. Manufacturing Processes - Forging Part 1; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Motion Control and Embedded Systems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 12 1. Manufacturing Processes - Forging Part 2; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Motion Control Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Week 13 1. Guest Lecture - Niels Quack on MEMS Manufacturing Processes + Manufacturing Processes - Powder Metallurgy; 2. Manufacturing Automation - Review Lecture Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through Canvas.

  • Paul Briozzo, MECH3660 8660 9660 Manufacturing Engineering. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Display familiarity in the use of CNC machining in manufacturing
  • LO2. Understand the basic principles of automation and testing
  • LO3. Understand the methodology of analogue sampling
  • LO4. Understand the methodology of data acquisition
  • LO5. Understand the development of software design patterns structure
  • LO6. Understand the fundamental principles of manufacturing technologies for mechanical and mechatronic engineering
  • LO7. Understand the principles of automated inspection systems
  • LO8. Understand the fundamentals in finding measurements using the method of LabVIEW, VBAI, OCR and Vision
  • LO9. Discuss the major problems in the current manufacturing practice and provide suggestions to overcome or improve them
  • LO10. Determine functional requirements of a product in terms of application and suitability
  • LO11. Discuss the merits and disadvantages of an individual manufacturing method
  • LO12. Determine the basic manufacturing considerations necessary to realise the function, including the selection of materials and the manufacturing method, taking into account the strength and reliability
  • LO13. Understand the fundamentals in motion control
  • LO14. Contribute to effective team processes

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Content related to the final Project has been expanded in 2022.

Appeals to assesment results are subject to Clause 3.1.2, https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/253&RendNum=0,

i.e. 15 working days (3 weeks).

The major group project require you to review your performance and that of your team members using SPARKPLUS. Individual marks for group assessments will be adjusted based on these reviews.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.