Product Design Engineering
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Courses
Course Description
First Year
Overview
During first year, the foundation for engineering and product design studies is established.
The basic sciences and mathematics are covered, that will later become the essential tools for engineering design. Laws of motion, thermodynamics and materials are taught in the form of lectures, tutorials and practical work. The area of Electronics is also covered as most modern products incorporate a great degree of electronic control.
Product design studio classes during first year, aim at training the students in project based learning that is very different from “chalk and talk” of a typical classroom.
Students are guided in developing their drawing skills, independent thinking and creativity while working individually or as part of a team. The design studio environment is similar to a design office rather than a university classroom.
Projects
Design Studio Projects
First year design studio projects, are primarily gearedtowards skill development in the areas of concept sketches, concept development, model making and project presentations.
Projects are mostly related to the sciences learned in the Engineering subjects. An example is shown of a vehicle that uses a mousetrap as its source of energy.
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Model Making
Students in first year are trained in model making.
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Subjects
Second Year
Overview
During second year, the areas of engineering become more applied with subjects focusing on design and manufacturing of products. Students learn how to calculate whether a product will be able to withstand the applied forces and whether it’s dynamic behaviour during operation will be acceptable to the end user. Studies in Material Science during this stage enable the student to make decisions on the most suitable materials while knowledge of manufacturing processes leads to optimal design of products.
The product design classes, are covered in design studio mode. Projects now become more demanding in the areas of visual, written and verbal communication of the design concept. Computer aided design and computer-modeling programs are taught at this stage to enable students achieve a more professional standard in their designs.
Projects
Musical Instrument Project
The project brief was to design an all electronic alternative for an existing musical instrument. The outcome was quite unexpected.
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Product Autopsy Project
Independent Living Centre - Yooralla and Year 2 Product Design Engineering Students. Students undertook a product autopsy (reverse engineering) of a domestic appliance and to proposed a new design for a person with limited abilities, for example limited hand strength or visual impairment.
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Information Terminal
This is a project where students are required to research the area of public information units that exist in large stores and design and contruct a full size prototype.
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Subjects
Third Year
Overview
By this stage students are expected work on “real” projects.
For this purpose, industrial companies are approached to provide our students with product designs they intend to manufacture. Students are expected to go through the “total” design process in consultation with their industry client.
Engineering subjects are now of a higher level incorporating rheology of plastics, metal deformation and design of tools and dies for manufacturing. Energy conservation, Human factors and Engineering management are also part of this year as students are preparing for their year out in industry.
More information about the Industry Based Learning year can be found under the IBL heading, below.
IBL
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Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies. This is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability. Students without permanent resident status in Australia should be aware that IBL may not be available. IBL is possible in a student's home country subject to approval by the appropriate IBL Coordinator. For further information visit: swin.edu.au/engineering/ibl/ |
Projects
Vending Machine Project
One project tackled this year in collaboration with industry was a product for the distrubution of printed material such as magazines, newspapers and the like.
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Emergency Tunnel Project
State Emergency Service and Year 3 Product Design Engineering students collaborated in a very unique design. Students worked in teams of three, to design a lightweight structure for protecting a rescuer while crawling through voids of a collapsed building. The design brief was the design of a product to protect the rescuer from falling debris and to support up to 15 tonne of debris.
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Portable Air Conditioner
Students at this stage also worked on the design of a Portable Air Conditioning unit. Other than the aesthetic requirements, student had to fulfil all the engineering details such as material selection, manufacture process requirements, sourcing of all the parts from suppliers and producing all the detail and assembly drawings.
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Subjects
Final Year
Overview
This is the year where students are prepared for graduation. During product design studio classes, they are given projects from industry and have to deal with real life requirements and deliverables. In addition they have to work on a yearlong research and design project that often deals with medical devices for invalid people.
All engineering knowledge is covered in earlier years to allow for product design application during the final year. Other than one engineering subject, management, marketing and innovation are encouraged through elective subjects. The latter may be taken from subjects offered in the School of Business.
Projects
Professional Project
During the final year, students are required to complete a major project in designing a product. The difference between this and previous projects, is the detailed scientific research of the topic to back up their design. The project outcomes are presented to industry professionals, who critique the work. Students are expected to exhibit their work and discuss the merits of their design with members from the general public.
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Plastic Container Project
Students also worked on a project brief from a manufacturer of plastic containers. The requirement included packaging and distributing drink bottles, sweets or other consumable products.
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Industry Projects
ACI Plastics Packaging – Concept Designs for Squeezable Mayonnaise container.
ACI has provided Product Design Engineering (PDE) Students from Swinburne University with a real life project that required marketing survey, concept development and engineering detail. The project focused on new concepts for a Squeezable Mayonnaise container with a non-spill diaphragm, a fresh ‘summery’ image, and tamper proofing.
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ACI Plastics Packaging
This project required students to design a drink bottle for children.
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