Fabrication and Welding HNC

You gain experience of carrying out a design project, giving you an appreciation of how design involves harmonising key parameters and blending them into the design solution, and to produce a design report. You cover each stage of the process, including: client brief, planning, design specification, design report and evaluation.

You develop the fundamental analytical knowledge and techniques needed to successfully complete the core modules of Higher National Engineering programmes. We provide you with the knowledge needed for further study of analytical methods and mathematics, required for more advanced option modules. You explore fundamental algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and probability, for the analysis, modelling and solution of realistic engineering problems at Higher National level.

This is a 15-credit module.

You are introduced to the fundamental laws and applications of the physical sciences within engineering and how to apply this knowledge to find solutions to a variety of engineering problems.

You study international system of units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and AC/DC circuit theories.

You are introduced to the techniques and best practices required to successfully manage an engineering project - from identifying a problem, through to finding a solution. You consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions.

You cover: roles, responsibilities and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.

This is a 15-credit module.

This module integrates the two subject areas of computer-aided design and computer aided-manufacture (CAD/CAM). You acquire a broad and deep understanding of the practical applications of a CAD/CAM system, and develop practical skills in 2D and 3D CAD systems and an appreciation of transfer of data between software packages. You use CAM software to generate manufacturing simulations of a component and design a dimensionally accurate component on a CNC machine using a CAD/CAM system.    

You are introduced to the range of fabrication processes available to the modern fabrication engineer and build on your knowledge of the technology available, with respect to cutting, forming and joining of sheet metal, plate and structural steelwork. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of a range of processes and equipment and techniques.

You are introduced the essential aspects of material structure, properties and behaviour both during manufacturing processes and also while in service. Welding engineers require a good level of knowledge of metallurgy and this aspect is also addressed. You look at the common engineering alloys relevant to fabrication and welding and their applications/selection.

You acquire an understanding of the principles and procedures, and related techniques of non-destructive testing methodologies used in the fabrication industry. You learn how to analyse the effectiveness and suitability of these processes in various applications and industrial environments and will feature the most widely utilised methods to include Visual, LPI, MPI, Radiographic Inspection and Ultrasonic testing.

You are introduced to current welding operations including power beam and plasma welding processes. In addition, the essential requirements for the welding of carbon-manganese steels used in modern construction is also addressed. Finally, you gain an understanding of the causes of welding distortion along with the means by which distortion may be controlled and/or rectified.