Module: Mechanics of Machines

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Mechanics of Machines
Module Code	MEC1014 (ITS: MM306)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To build on Engineering Mechanics (Statics and Dynamics) by adding Power transmission: gears, belts, clutches. Balancing of shafts Gyroscopic motion Dynamics (vibration) of mechanical systems in free, forced and damped modes Measurement of properties of dynamic systems

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D75DBA8-B454-0001-3EE2-74CE10E01F15
2. Analyse and design power transmissions using gears, clutches and belts.
5. 1
6. 1D75DBAB-19A1-0001-40C3-70DD1B90BA00
7. Balance shafts statically and dynamically using vector calculus
10. 2
11. 1D75DBAB-2D12-0001-D218-18701B191DD3
12. Calculate the natural frequency, damped frequency of single degree of freedom systems
15. 3
16. 1D75DBAB-36F9-0001-CBB8-45F21780DDA0
17. Design a vibration isolation system and calculate the response to input forces
20. 4
21. 1D75DBAB-46B8-0001-60DC-30DC18301AAC
22. Undertake laboratory practicals and report scientifically on them in reports and poster form
25. 5
26. 1E266348-255F-0001-C0DD-1A701230EA50
27. Simulate and evaluate the performance of Mechanical Designs using Solid Modelling
29. 7,12,6,8,11,9,10
30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	4	In the lab
Fieldwork	6	Reporting on Lab activity
Tutorial	30	Problem solving questions on Loop with both Formative and Summative Feedback
Lecture	20	Broadcast or recorded lecture material presenting the content of the module.
Assignment Completion	40	Development of simulation model, analytical review and reporting on the detailed contents and reasoning.
Independent Study	25	Reading of background materials, practice for quizzes
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10212	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Antony Kho	Module Teacher	Paul Young

Section Breakdown
CRN	12081	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	50PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Antony Kho	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	2 practical reports	20%	Other
Digital Project	Development of a SolidWorks simulation model showing operational dynamics of a practical rig, and an analytical report showing the connection to the theoretical calculation.	30%	Week 12
Loop Quiz	Tutorial Style Questions	25%	Every Second Week
Loop Quiz	Asynchronous Loop Quiz with posed problems requiring completion in a short time once started	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Simple and Compound Gears
Direct power transmission, gear ratios, design, module, tooth profile.

Belt Drives
Analysis of interaction between belt and pulley to determine governing equation for slippage. Geometry of system, gear ration and maximum power transmission.

Clutches
Torque at slip analysis for uniform pressure and constant wear rate. Use of multi-plate clutches. Design for power transmission in a gear train.

Balancing of shafts
Vector analysis of static and dynamic balancing of rotating shafts

Gyroscopic motion
3-D kinetics, calculation the gyroscopic couple under precession of the spin axis.

Free Vibration of SDOF
Equations of motion, undamped, viscous damping, dry friction damping & hysteretic damping

Forced vibration of SDOF system
Sinusoidal Excitation on mass, excitation of base, harmonic excitation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

C.F. Beards: 1995, Beards CF., Engineering Vibration Analysis with Application to Control Systems, Arnold, 034063183X
Peter R. N. Childs: 2018, Mechanical Design Engineering Handbook, Butterworth-Heinemann, 982, 9780081023686
GH Ryder, MD Bennett: 1990, Mechanics of Machines, 2, Industrial Press, Inc., 083113030X
Daniel J. Inman: 0, Engineering vibration, Pearson, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 0132281732
J. Hannah, R. C. Stephens: 1984, Mechanics of machines, Edward Arnold, London, 0713134712

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None