Unit information: Virtual Product Development in 2018/19

Unit name	Virtual Product Development
Unit code	MENGM6049
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Alemzadeh
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	MENG26000, MENG33111 (or equivalent)
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The unit provides the opportunity for students to practise the most current industrial Virtual Product Development techniques in an integrated stimulating and dynamic learning environment. The unit will highlight the importance of the virtual prototyping for complex engineering and bio-inspired product development in the context of product lifecycle management (PLM) and through-life engineering services (TES). It also emphasizes on advanced engineering curves and reverse engineering (RE) processes such as digitization, segmentation or feature extraction, surfacing, geometric modelling (CAD) with associated curve analysis and interrogation of solids- leading to the shape and topology optimization in modelling a virtual prototype. The unit also covers design for machining and CNC machine tools, process planning for machining leading to virtual machining techniques (CAM). The unit is complemented with a series of laboratories to apply the principles of digital design techniques such as CAD/CAM and RE to build a virtual prototype.

Aims:

This unit will cover the integrated elements of Virtual Product Development with emphasise on real applications and industrial practice. It highlights the importance of the CAD/CAM, digital prototyping, RE and optimisation in the context of TES & PLM. The unit shows the use of processes as a powerful digital design tool for model modification needed for obtaining an optimal product design and provide the process for students to implement it on a real industrial application in railway engineering.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will know how to do the following:

1.Draw, manipulate and analyse advanced engineering curves including splines and Bezier curves using a Computer Aided Design system.

2. Create a machining process plan for a part and perform virtual machining of the product based on this using a Computer Aided Manufacturing system.

3. Design and optimise a mechanical product, from concept to full digital prototype, in an integrated Product Lifecycle Management environment.

Teaching Information

Students receive 10 one-hour lectures and 10 three-hour laboratory sessions per week for 10 weeks. They are expected to have additional 40 hours of private study for the coursework assignment.

Course Structure:
Introduction to course, the logistics, and the coursework assignment
Introduction to VPD and PLM
Reverse engineering and an introduction to engineering curves
Curve analysis
Interrogation of solids
CNC machining and design for CNC machining
Process planning for machining
Virtual machining
Iterative design, analysis and optimisation

Assessment Information

The performance of students in this unit will be assessed through a single piece of coursework with three elements corresponding to the learning outcomes. The coursework will be submitted as a 10 page report with supporting technical information (CAD/CAM/FEA) files with videos of virtual machining and FEA loading scenarios.

Reading and References

• Lecture notes, instruction booklets, tutorials from Siemens software
• McMahon, C. & Browne, J., CADCAM: Principles, Practice & Manufacturing Management. (1998), 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley. ISBN-10: 0201178192. ISBN-13: 9780201178197.
• Raja, V. & Fernandes, K.J., Reverse Engineering: An Industrial Perspective (Advanced Manufacturing). (2010), 1st ed., Springer. ISBN-10: 1849966605. ISBN-13: 9781849966603.