Examination arrangement

Course content

Product development and teamwork. Model building and construction. Additive manufacturing. Prototyping. Practical product development and documentation of the development process. Product development methodologies. Basic machine elements. Forces, electric motors, transmissions, controls, relevant production and assembly techniques, working in the machine shop.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The student has knowledge of:

• Engineering design methodology.
• Techniques for creativity and generation of solutions.
• Basic machine design.
• Application of mechanics in machine design.

Skills: The student can:

• Complete a design project based on given requirements.
• Investigate and understand user needs and establish requirements.
• Create original solutions based on given requirements and wishes.
• Determine structural dimensions in relation to the loads.
• Make effective models of chosen solutions and use them in the project.
• Develop and build prototypes with the right properties to demonstrate chosen concept and chosen solutions.
• Use product development methodologies in practice.
• Craft thorough technical development reports.

General competence: The student can:

• Take part in creative processes and find original solutions.
• Realize solutions in virtual and physical models.
• Complete projects within given frames regarding time and resources.

Learning methods and activities

The course teaches the development of a technical product, from the very early design stages to the functional prototype stage. The product has to fulfill certain customer needs that the students define through user insights throughout the course. During the first part of the course, students will get access to the tools of new product development. They will learn to define customer requirements, find technical solutions and create rapid prototypes. In the second part of the course, the students will fabricate a functional prototype according to the design developed in the first part of the course. The students will work on dimensioning different parts of their products. Finally, they will manufacture and assemble parts in the machine shop. The students will work in groups, where each group will manufacture one prototype. Within each group, students will choose different roles: concept development; CAD and dimensioning; mechatronics; technical workshop.

Further on evaluation

Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes weekly progress reports, final presentation, physical prototype and the final project report. The teams will be evaluated on their product’s innovative design, fulfilment of customer requirements, the quality of the technical solutions, the functionality of the prototype and the quality of the weekly progress reports and the final project report. For a re-take, all parts of the assessment during the course must be re-taken.

Throughout the entire project period, two documents must be submitted at the end of each week: 1) the team's weekly progress report, 2) individual progress and reflection note. The teams will also have several milestone presentations throughout the semester.

The final presentation and demonstration of the physical prototype take place at the end of the semester. The final project report is to be handed in after the final presentation, before the exam period starts. All deliverables are handed in and normally evaluated on a team basis.

Each team will be assigned a teaching assistant that will follow the team closely throughout the semester. Other teaching assistant together with lecturer(s) are available for guidance in all group work sessions throughout the semester. Every other week a compulsory review-session is arranged with each team together with lecturer(s) and their assigned teaching assistant.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is limited to students of the degree programme Mechanical Engineering. The course builds on knowledge from TMM4115 Engineering Modelling, TKT4116 Mechanics 1, TPK4190 Manufacturing Technology and TKT4122 Mechanics 2.

Required previous knowledge

E-learning course in basic health, safety and environmental work (HSE). Practical course of the degree programme Mechanical Engineering. TMM4115 Engineering Modelling. TKT4116 Mechanics 1. TPK4190 Manufacturing Technology.

Course materials

Textbook used as a basis in the course is Product Design and Development; Ulrich, Karl Eppinger, Steven Yang, Maria C.