Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
No Banner module data is available
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Description This module builds upon the manufacturing skills and competences from the semester 1 Materials and Process Technology module. The module introduces the students to the fundamental laws of mechanics and how these are applied to solve mechanical system based problems. Students will be exposed to SI units of measurement and to scientific experimentation to demonstrate relevant principles. Acquired knowledge and skills will underpin further technological enquiry where the treatment of the module's theoretical content will enable the student to engage in the informed design and realisation of a mechanical system. The student will be supported and guided through the engineering design process, where engagement with the sequencing and management of the “design and make” phases of a technological project will be highlighted and critiqued. The module delivery is designed to ensure that the student teacher acquires the appropriate level of subject content knowledge in line with: • Strand 1; Principles and Practices, of the Junior Cycle Applied Technology subject specification and • Strand 1; Processes and Principles of the Junior Cycle Engineering subject specification. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Recognise the importance of project oriented learning activities in the technology education discipline and value the process of technological project work for the achievement of the goals of technology education. 2. Evaluate and reflect upon the process and product elements of project work in relation to compliance with defined engineering standards. 3. Analyse and solve mechanics problems using suitable mathematical formulae and techniques. 4. Define and explain fundamental mechanics terms and concepts pertinent to topics such as; work power and energy, stress and strain, linear and angular motion and simple machines. 5. Carry out theoretical mechanics calculations to inform the design of a mechanical system based project. 6. Create detailed engineering drawings of final project design to include dimensional and geometric tolerances and required annotations for manufacture. 7. Produce a report to outline the completed stages of the engineering design process for a mechanical system based project. 8. Operate engineering workshop machine tools to produce engineering components to required dimensional and geometric tolerances. 9. Conduct risk assessments prior to undertaking all machining operations and carry out all processes in line with standard operating procedures with particular emphasis being paid to health and safety considerations. 10. Assemble manufactured engineering components utilising standard engineering components such as bearings, pins, springs, shafts and appropriate mechanical fasteners to ensure the efficient operation of a mechanical system based project. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Mechanical Design: The design Process; Requires Development, Conceptual Design, Detailed Design, Production. The importance of mechanical design for solving technical, global and environmental challenges. Standards and Codes; Design factor and factor of safety; Dimensions and Tolerances; The importance of innovation for effective engineered products, systems and processes. Functional Performance, Environmental Impact, Design for Manufacture, Economic Issues, Ergonomic Concerns, Life Cycle Issues. Technical Problem-Solving: Analysing and Solving Engineering Problems, Conducting required engineering calculations, report numerical value and unit in each calculation, checking calculations for dimensional consistency, order of magnitude calculations/estimations. Communication Skills and Team Work in Engineering. Load and Stress analysis: Equilibrium and free-body diagrams; Forces in Structures and Machines: Friction, Shear forces, Bending Moments, Stress, Elastic Strain, Torsion. Break down forces as rectangular and polar components, determine resultant forces of a system using vector algebra and polygon methods, calculate moment of a force, equilibrium and calculation of unknown forces in a system, advantages and applications of rolling-element bearings. Screws, Fasteners and design of non-permanent joints: Thread standards and definitions; power screws; types and applications of threaded fasteners, Motion and Power transmission: Rotational velocity, work and power; Mechanical Springs; Design application and calculations for gears and gear sets, design characteristics of v-belts and timing belts; calculate shaft speeds, torque and power transferred in simple and compound gear trains and belt drives. Machining Processes and Machine Tools: Mechanics of cutting, Cutting Forces and Power, Tool life and tool wear, Surface finish and integrity, Machinability of materials; Machining Porcesses: Lathes and Turning and Boring Processes; Drilling Machines, Drills and Drilling Processes, reaming and reamers, thread forming, taps and dies; Milling and Milling Machines, Form cutting. Geometric Dimensions and Tolerances: Dimension and tolerance systems and standards, Definition of GD&T, Datums, Geometric Characteristics, Practical implementation, GD&T in CAD. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
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Other Resources
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