ENTM13005 Mechanical System Design

This course endeavours to expose you to the various issues that the practising engineer should be aware of with regard to design. We commence with an introduction to design, design issues that impact on society, some basic stress analysis and finally the application of the concepts to the design of some commonly found components. As engineers in general, whether they be mechanical, civil, electrical, computing or any other type of engineer, I believe that we are indeed fortunate when we compare ourselves to the other mainstream professions like accounting, law and medicine. It is the engineering profession (and to some extent medicine) that is continually involved with the design and creation of new things and processes, whether they be planes, ships, buildings, transport systems, TVs, videos, computers, automobiles, manufacturing processes - the list is never ending. Every appliance or process that you see around you has had some engineering design input - and engineers who provide the design concepts have to start from scratch: this course is just that!! The process of commencing design from scratch, or from first principles. Sooner or later you will realise that a mechanical design engineer needs assistance from a variety of experts - like environmental engineers, metallurgical engineers and electronic engineers and from other professionals such as ergonomists, environmental scientists and health and safety professionals. As you gain expertise in your field of engineering you will be able to produce a design with greater efficiency as your expertise increases. This course endeavours to give you a start along that road through the team design project that is a major part of your assessment.