Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

In a competitive market it is critical for an engineer to be capable of identifying a problem area, developing several conceptual solutions and selecting the best concept, developing design solutions of products that can perform both economically and efficiently, taking measures to ensure at the design stage that the product will perform reliably and prevent failures, as well as introduce effective maintenance and condition monitoring systems. This unit offers a range of advanced tools and methods to achieve this.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to equip you with advanced tools and methods of identifying problems, developing economical and effective design solutions, and ensuring reliable machinery performance.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to demonstrate:
1. Usage of advanced tools and methods of problem analysis in engineering design.
2. Problem formulation and development of effective conceptual design solutions using advanced creative problem solving tools and methods.
3. Design of equipment for special applications.
4. Investigation of machinery failure using advanced failure analysis tools and development of measures for failure prevention.
5. Selection, application and maintenance of machine system condition monitoring methods.

Content

Section 1: Identifying problems and developing conceptual solutions
Topic 1: Introduction. Tools for problem identification and formulation (Value analysis, PAG-PAU procedure,
Topic 2: Obstacles to creative thinking. Review of creative problem solving methodologies (Try and see, Checklist method, Brainstorming, CPS process, Mind mapping, Lateral thinking, Synectics, Ah-Ha method, I-wish method,
Topic 3: The Ideation / TRIZ methodology of creative problem solving, Innovation WorkBenchTM software. Selecting the best concept.
Topic 4. Fundamentals of successful team work.

Section 2: Design of equipment for special application
Topic 5: Pressure vessels.
Topic 6: Conveyors.
Topic 7: Specifics of design of equipment for extreme temperatures, food processing equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, and heavy machinery design.

Section 3: Fundamentals of machine reliability, failure analysis and prevention
Topic 8: Basics of machine reliability, availability and maintainability.
Topic 9: Failure Mode Effect and Criticality Analysis (FMECA).
Topic 10: Machinery failure analysis, prediction and prevention. Anticipatory Failure Determination method (AFDTM).
Topic 11: Maintenance and machine condition monitoring systems.
Topic 12: Vibration monitoring. Working with I-Learn interactive software.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: 4 hours per week
Lectures: 2 hrs per week
Tutorial/computer sessions: 2 hrs per week

Teaching in this unit will include formal lectures where the theory is covered, followed with tutorial sessions. Some of the tutorial sessions will be conducted in computer classes working with interactive software packages.
You will also gain experience in independent learning from various reference sources, online resources from unit-specific Blackboard site, and will be encouraged to work and learn cooperatively with others through interacting with peers in tutorials and project work. A progressive design and analysis projects will allow you to apply the theoretical material to a real world engineering project. Tutorial sessions and computer sessions are designed to integrate theory from lectures with practice. Tutorial tasks and assessments are problem-based giving you an opportunity to assess their knowledge using worked solutions, and questions for self-examination built in software.

Assessment

The assessment will develop advanced design and monitoring skills through systematic assessment. It comprises analysis and concept development for a given object and problem, machine condition monitoring (report) using computer modelling software followed by failure analysis of machinery as a final project.Formative feedback will be provided through worked examples during tutorials and computer classes. Summative feedback related to both problem-based tasks and projects will be provided in the form of written comments on returned reports. Summative feedback will be based on CRA sheets.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Value analysis and problem solving
Submit a report with value analysis of a given object and concept development for a given problem.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Report
Description: Machine condition monitoring
Submit a report with results of computer modelling of fault frequencies of a given transmission verified with hand calculations.
Relates to objectives: 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Project
Description: Machinery failure analysis
You will carry out failure analysis of a given machine using AFDTM method and recommend maintenance and condition monitoring system.
Relates to objectives: 3, 4, 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty means that you are expected to exhibit honesty and act responsibly when undertaking assessment. Any action or practice on your part which would defeat the purposes of assessment is regarded as academic dishonesty. The penalties for academic dishonesty are provided in the Student Rules. For more information you should consult the QUT Library resources for avoiding plagiarism.

Resource materials

Kosse, V. Advanced design and maintenance - Course notes, 2012, Available from the Blackboard.
Kosse, V. Solving problems with TRIZ - an exercise handbook. Ideation International Incorporation, USA, 1999 and 2004. Available from QUT library.

Risk assessment statement

This unit does not include any extraordinary risks. Classes in lecture theatres, tutorials and computer classes will require students to avoid consuming mills or drinks, especially in computer classes. Spilling liquids on computer keyboards may cause short circuits and possibility of electrocution. All students will be required to undergo general safety induction in the beginning of the academic year.

QUT has a formal risk assessment process which can be used to identify hazards and determine risks associated with particular tasks and equipment and how you should handle them in a safe way.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 13-Mar-2012