Mechanical Engineering HND

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.

The majority of the engines used in the world today to generate power or to provide transportation are either gas turbines, steam systems or internal combustion engines, all of which use thermodynamic processes to generate the power required. We introduce you to the principles and laws of thermodynamics and heat transfer and then shows how they can be applied to engineering systems. You explore system definition, the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and the application of the non-flow and steady flow energy equations using the ideal gas equations and steam tables. You learn about the different mechanisms of heat transfer and looks at the performance of heat exchangers before concluding with an investigation of heat engine cycles, principally those used in the internal combustion engines.

This is a 15-credit module.

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 covers a range of mechanical principles which underpin the design and operation of mechanical engineering systems. It includes aspects related to loading of structures and mechanics of machines. The aim of the unit is to provide a firm foundation for work in engineering design and a basis for more advanced study.

We provide you with the knowledge and understanding of fluid power systems in modern industry by investigating pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams, examining the characteristics of components and equipment, and evaluating the applications of pneumatics and hydraulics.

This is a 15-credit module.

You are provided with an understanding of the principles of lead time analysis by using a range of processes. It includes the use of techniques to reduce set up times for a particular application and present this improvement as a standard operating procedure. In addition, the techniques employed in total productive maintenance (TPM) and the use of Optimised production technology (OPT) is described and the benefits discussed.

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 basic principles of fluid mechanics. You explore properties of fluids and different types of flow, and the underlying principles and theory of fluid mechanics in lectures. You look at worked examples in tutorials and laboratory work to enable practical investigation.

The aim of this module is to provide you with basic background knowledge and understanding of the properties, selection, processing and use of materials.

: Whilst it is essential that a product or service designed by an engineer delivers the performance required in the specification, it is equally important that it contributes to the economic viability of the company and that all aspects of its life cycle are managed in a professional manner.

This is a 10-credit module.

This module covers a range of advanced mechanical principles which underpin the design and operation of mechanical engineering systems. It includes aspects related to strengths of materials and mechanics of machines.

You are introduced to the concepts necessary for the successful analysis of engineering problems and apply numerical methods relevant to solving advanced mathematical problems arising from engineering and technology

You learn how to use applications of number theory in practical engineering situations, solve systems of linear equations relevant to engineering applications using matrix methods, approximate solutions of contextualised examples with graphical and numerical methods, and review models of engineering systems using ordinary differential equations.

Whilst it is essential that a product or service designed by an engineer delivers the performance required in the specification, it is equally important that it contributes to the economic viability of the company and that all aspects of its life cycle are managed in a professional manner.

You are introduced to the skills necessary to deliver a complex, independently-conducted research project within an engineering context. You are required to conduct research in order to produce a project that considers an original objective, explains the critical thinking skills employed in solving engineering problems and reflects upon multiple perspectives in order to reach a balanced and justifiable conclusion, all while employing methods of effective communication.

This module enhances your skills in the use of a computer–aided draughting and design system. It focuses on the modification and updating of an existing design, generating graphical models and using a proprietary software package to solve a design problem.

You are introduced to advanced manufacturing technologies and the safety and technical requirements of producing manufactured goods economically. One-offs, small, medium, and large batches and flow line production are considered, as well as non-traditional and emerging technologies. The function, purpose and economic evaluation of different manufacturing technologies and strategies are investigated. Automation of manufacturing and the economic benefits against cost should be considered.

You are introduced to the principles and processes of lean manufacturing, so that you can become an effective and committed practitioner of lean techniques in whatever sector you are employed in. You study: scoping and defining lean manufacturing, the benefits and challenges of adopting lean manufacturing, The Toyota Production System (TPS), common tools and techniques associated with lean manufacturing and process improvement, and the most appropriate improvement tool(s) to tackle a problem.

This module develops the knowledge and skills required to perform complex measurement and test procedures on electrical and electronic systems. This module also develops your understanding of the concepts of measurement and test. In particular, the module is designed to develop the underpinning knowledge and skills required to perform complex measurement and test procedures.

Sustainability is a multidisciplinary challenge, and engineers of the future will have to work collaboratively with a whole range of other stakeholders, such as scientists, politicians and financiers, if they are to be able to produce the practical and technological solutions required within the necessarily urgent time scales.  

You gain a wide range of knowledge and understanding of the issues and topics associated with sustainability and low carbon engineering. Living and working in the 21st century will bring a range of sustainability challenges that our society has not seen before. For many people on our planet key resources such as food, water and energy will be in short supply, whilst the effects of climate change will be felt by everyone.  

The work of an engineer increasingly involves the use of powerful software modelling tools (virtual modelling). These tools allow us to predict potential manufacturing difficulties, suggest how a product or component is likely to behave in service, and undertake rapid and low cost design iteration and optimisation, to reduce costs, pre-empt failure and enhance performance. You are introduced to the application of relevant computer aided design (CAD) and analysis engineering tools in contemporary engineering. They learn about standards, regulations and legal compliance within the context of engineering.
 
Topics include: dimensioning and tolerances, standardisation and regulatory compliance (BS, ASTM, ISO), material properties and selection, manufacturing processes, 2D, 3D, CAD, solid modelling, one-dimensional and multi-dimensional problems, meshing and boundary conditions, and the finite volume method.