Manufacturing Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) with foundation year

This module is designed to introduce engineering materials and manufacturing processes. Common processes will be analysed which are used to convert metallic and polymeric materials into all types of engineering products from a variety of industrial sectors, for example aerospace, automotive, and general engineering. It examines the principles of manufacturing processes and relates them to the material’s response to primary shaping methods and secondary processes.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide you with the essential and fundamental knowledge of mechanical science and mathematical methods needed by the sector. The science includes the laws and theory underpinning solid mechanics and thermal analysis relevant to manufacturing. You should learn how to analyse problems using mathematical formulations and to solve these using mathematical tools and techniques.

Compulsory

Engineering design is the creation and development of a viable product, process or system to meet a defined need. This module aims to present a structured approach to the design process, design management, and creative problem solving, leading to the output of a feasible and well-engineered solution using industry-standard modelling techniques, processes and software. Various design tools and techniques will be introduced together to allow innovation to occur whilst developing collaborative skills to solve real-world problems. Individual and group work will be undertaken to allow the application of key engineering design practices.

Compulsory

This module aims to develop your appreciation for the importance of technical quality and metrology, and how this is influenced by appropriate management systems. Its goal is to develop your understanding of inspection and metrology principles and their practical applications. It will also establish the use of standards, through the International System of Units (SI) and relevant accredited bodies, that provide traceability.

Compulsory

The module aims to provide you with a broad, basic introduction to electrical science for manufacturing engineers. It covers the essential techniques of electrical circuit analysis and electromagnetic machines. Common devices employed in manufacturing applications feature. Relevant mathematical techniques are introduced alongside the science.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to build upon the Part-assembly Manufacturing Project through a project of expanded scope to include quality and metrology. You will design an appropriate manufacturing layout and sequence for the chosen component part ensuring an efficient design. A clear measurement and metrology plan will have to be created and relevant measurements conducted to support any recommendations.

Compulsory

This module is designed to build on and deepen your understanding of the design and behaviour of engineering materials and their interaction and application in the design, as well as the manufacture and service of advanced engineering components.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to automation and robotics, and to evaluate the roles that these technologies have within modern manufacturing environments. You will examine underpinning mathematical principles that support automation and robotics as well as basic control principles. Technology crucial to automation and robotics will be examined, e.g. transfer mechanisms, sensor and instrumentation. The manufacturing and business justification for automation and robotics will be detailed and evaluated. Finally, an appreciation for robots and robot cells will be examined, including programming.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in 'Quality and Metrology' and integrate the aspects of advanced materials and processes along with automation and robotics. You will critique a manufacturing system for one or more products, particularly around the choice of manufacturing processes and equipment.

Compulsory

This module aims to help you grasp the fundamental concept of digital twins and their pivotal role in new digital era of manufacturing methods. You can also expect to learn about how digital twins enhance real-time monitoring and optimisation of manufacturing processes, along with how to program CNC machines.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to evaluate the engineering and management implications of a product portfolio at various stages within the product life cycle. Within the module, you will examine the concept of product lifecycle and its inter-relationship with a product portfolio and how this impacts on the various internal and external functions and partners of a manufacturing organisation. Consideration of the complex socio-technical system will be examined as well as the product-service paradigm and its implications on sustainable operations and development worldwide.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce the range of tools and techniques that are currently used in order to support innovation in engineering design. You will have the opportunity to explore the integration of these tools and techniques within the product design process. You will undertake a project to explore the key aspects of the design process, from an initial brief to delivering a viable solution, and then present your findings accordingly, following industry-standard practices.

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

The aim of this module is to provide you with the ability to plan and control a competitive manufacturing system. The application of lean techniques into industry over the past years has demonstrated that the removal of waste, combined with the focus on customer requirements and value-added tasks, can reap great benefits. This module aims to develop the skills and techniques required to design improved methods and layouts for a manufacturing system.

Compulsory

This module aims to build on the knowledge gained in the previous two years of study, while developing your awareness and understanding of emerging manufacturing technologies by exposure to ongoing research efforts in relevant areas.

You can expect to work with researchers at the Institute For Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) on subjects at the forefront of emerging technologies (subject to availability)².

The module emphasises critical analysis, encouraging you to assess the feasibility, challenges and ethical considerations associated with implementing these technologies. By bridging the gap between research and practical application, this module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving landscape of manufacturing and become leaders in shaping its future.

Compulsory

This module aims to equip you with the generic skills and knowledge to enable you to contribute effectively in your professional career. You should gain an understanding of how to plan and produce personal development documentation and resources, as well as produce a proposal for your final year dissertation as a means to enhance your future employability.

Compulsory

In this module you will examine international benchmarks for operational and manufacturing excellence, considering the motivation behind and need for, new product developments. Examination of the resource implications and justification will be calculated and optimised. Company-wide change management will be examined including how training, reward and incentive schemes as well as effective management and leadership support strategy implementation.

Compulsory

This module is concerned with the introduction of a new product (or a variant of an existing one) into an existing manufacturing environment. You will further develop the project management and team-working skills instilled earlier in the course, to manage the introduction of a product from concept design into the manufacturing arena, including consideration of sustainability factors. Wherever possible, products will be specified in conjunction with industry.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to demonstrate your ability to implement a research proposal. The research must address a key question or aim, evaluate the results gathered and the degree to which the research question has been answered. Due consideration to limitations and recommendations for future work will be required.

Compulsory

The MEng group project enables you to engage in a ‘real world’ industrial problem within the AME⁴. Working as part of a team, you will liaise with an industrial client to understand the problem scenario, then review and identify where the latest manufacturing concepts and technology can be applied, to formulate a solution.

The aim of this module is to provide the project initiation, planning and problem definition phase for you to undertake a substantial group project. Successful completion of the module will require methodical planning, record keeping and self-management, effective communication and delivery of report.

Compulsory

This module will enable you, working in a group and in conjunction with industry, to solve ‘real world’ industrial problems and demonstrate a variety of manufacturing engineering skills⁴. Examples may include successful software applications, system processes, components or product designs. You will incorporate where necessary the most advanced technical and mathematical concepts from both your past knowledge and that acquired during the course. You will develop a professional working relationship with a client and deliver a solution to the industry standard.

Compulsory

This module focuses on computer-based manufacturing simulation, where the model is implemented as part of a computer program, which can then be executed to compute and record the data which describes the simulated manufacturing system's behaviour. You should learn to identify the components and characteristics of manufacturing systems, develop computer-based models to simulate manufacturing systems, analyse performance of manufacturing systems, and apply the modelling techniques on decision-making regarding manufacturing systems. You will use specialist software⁴ and develop the understanding needed to transfer that knowledge to other software, models, and contexts.

Compulsory

This module is designed to provide you with the ability to develop and implement business innovation practices within the appropriate frameworks, to comply with current and future requirements for sustainability. You will be introduced to and develop a firm understanding of the theory, practices and importance of innovation in business organisations. Aspects of sustainability factors (economic, social, environment), sustainable operations and sustainability challenges will be studied.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to investigate the use of leading-edge technologies, methods and materials currently used in advanced and high value manufacturing environments. You will learn to critically assess these advanced manufacturing areas in terms of cost, complexity of manufacture and end-of-life consequences (for example, re-manufacture and recycling). You will also be expected to evaluate future manufacturing concepts (for example, 'factory of the future', hybrid processes, smart materials, autonomous decision making) and the development of future-looking strategies, formal investigation processes and techniques for analysing and assessing the feasibility of emerging technologies and materials for manufacture. This module is designed to equip you not only with a strong knowledge and appreciation of advanced manufacturing but also to help develop the appropriate skills to identify and critically evaluate future trends and requirements.

Compulsory

This module will focus on image processing techniques leading to two-dimensional (2D) machine vision techniques and methodologies for object detection, pose estimation, inspection and measurement. This will be followed by an overview of a range of three-dimensional (3D) machine vision systems that can be employed in industry.

Compulsory