Overview
Advanced Mechanical Design develops systematic methods for conceiving, analyzing, optimizing, and documenting complex mechanical systems and components. Students translate user and system requirements into measurable engineering specifications; generate and evaluate alternative concepts; and make evidence-based decisions concerning materials, manufacturing processes, performance, reliability, safety, sustainability, and cost.
The course integrates computer-aided design, engineering simulation, structural, thermal, kinematic and dynamic analysis, failure theories, fatigue and fracture assessment, stress concentration, tolerance design, fits, surface finishes, design for assembly, additive and subtractive manufacturing constraints, and design verification. Students complete a substantial design project involving detailed models, assemblies, drawings, analyses, prototyping or testing, standards compliance, risk assessment, technical reporting, and formal design review.
Learning Outcomes
- Translate user, system, safety, and regulatory requirements into measurable engineering specifications.
- Generate and evaluate alternative mechanical concepts using performance, manufacturability, reliability, sustainability, cost, and risk criteria.
- Select suitable materials, manufacturing processes, fits, tolerances, and surface finishes for specified operating conditions.
- Apply failure theories, stress concentration analysis, fatigue and fracture mechanics, safety factors, and reliability methods to mechanical designs.
- Perform and interpret appropriate structural, thermal, kinematic, and dynamic analyses using analytical, computational, and simulation-based methods.
- Apply relevant engineering codes, standards, design-for-assembly principles, and design-for-manufacture constraints to complete mechanical systems.
- Optimize mechanical designs against competing performance, weight, cost, sustainability, reliability, and manufacturability objectives.
- Create professional CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, specifications, and design documentation in accordance with accepted drafting standards.
- Verify design performance through calculations, simulation, prototype evaluation, testing, and comparison with defined acceptance criteria.
- Synthesize technical evidence into a complete mechanical design solution and defend design decisions during a formal engineering review.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 3 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 3 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Practicum | 3 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Requirements and preliminary concept analysis | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Materials, manufacturing, and tolerance design report | 15.00% |
| Test | Design analysis and failure assessment test | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Integrated mechanical design project | 35.00% |
| Tutorial | Design review participation and technical justification | 5.00% |
| Exam | Final design synthesis examination | 10.00% |
Prerequisites
- MECH301 Machine Design
- MECH302 Mechatronics and Automated Systems
- Requirement Prior academic experience with computer-aided design, engineering mechanics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
