Engineering Design - DSGN 221, for 2009 - 2010


1. Introduction
This module will consist of the following parts:
i) A course of lectures (details shown below) covering design methodology together with detail on how to design specific machine elements. The programme is subject to change depending upon feedback etc.
ii) The three assignments as described below. You should note that if you hand in an assignment after the deadline you will be awarded zero marks unless you have valid extenuating circumstances.

Support Material - Extensive support material is available in the Stage 2 Design notes on the SoE web pages. Look on the Index to Online Documentation, then DSGN 215 / DSGN 221. Making use of these notes, applets and links should save you a lot of time.

2. Assignments
You should work in groups of 3 in all these assignments, each group will submit 1 report for each assignment and normally all members will receive the same mark. BUT YOU MUST put a persons name on the bottom of every page, to indicate who was primarily responsible for its contents and writing.
NB:If difficulties do arise with group members not contributing, then the module leader reserves the right to remove a group member(s) or require them to write and submit an individual report or to give a lower mark (or zero) to the person(s) concerned.

i) Investigate the factors of safety of the key components of the travelling crane in Brunel W6 - see attached details. See also notes on stresses in a crane hook
Due in 11.00 pm on Monday 9th November 2009, ...

ii) - You will continue with this component in MECH 227 Select a component with reasonably simple geometry that you have access to (for measurement and 'estimation' of the material type and strength - some hardness testing will be necessary) and whose loading you can determine. You are to determine the maximum (or critical) stresses in the component. (In MECH 227 you need to develop and an FEA model of the component, run it and assess the results.) The report should explain simplifications, assumptions, loading and a discussion of results: eg.


Due in 11.00 am on Thursday 17th December 2009, ...

iii) - One of the following - select then agree choice with module leader:

You must include a reasonable estimate of the cost of the manufactured system you select.

(A) Device to enable people in wheel chairs to use stairs
The usual way of providing for this is to add a system to the stairs which carries the wheelchair and user. This system has the disadvantage that expensive conversions or additions, often custom built, are needed for every flight of stairs.
A possible alternative is to design a suitable attachment to a wheelchair to enable it to negotiate safely (almost) any stairs the user encounters.
Your assignment is to select one of these alternative methods and design a such a system.

(B) Electric Office Stapler
Increasingly power assistance is being offered where previously it was 'normal' to use non - power assisted operation. This has progressed most in automobiles, showing the scope for this type of design, while leading to reduced the costs, sizes and increased reliability of motors and other electrical and electronic components.
Some electrically operated staplers are already available, you should see what is currently on the market and design a suitable competitive or complementary product.

(C) Power Assisted Tailgate Attachment for Cars
Modern cars have a lot of power operated systems - windows, sun roof, seats, steering. One system which is only power operated / assisted in a few top of the range models is the tailgate on estate / 5 door hatchbacks and many people find these heavy and awkward to open and close.

For this assignment you are to design a system that can be added (probably by the dealer who supplies the new car) to operate the tailgate of such a a vehicle.
You are required to produce a detailed design - your solution should include design layout, sketches of key components, analysis of loads and stresses, specifications of bought in items and costings.

Final assignment is due in 11.00am on Thursday 25th March 2010, ...

3. Advice About Writing Design Reports
Information is given in the DSGN 215 Design Notes

4. Marking Scheme
The marks for the three assignments are weighted as follows:

Presentation 10%
Analysis 30%
Manufacturing and Materials 30%
General Design - observations, ease of use, reliability, including discussion 30%

5. Lecture Programme

The 'Return to Module Introduction' links at the bottom of these pages will take you to the DSGN 215/221 module introduction, use the 'back' button on your browser to return to this page.

Week Comm.Lecture / Self Study Topics
28-9-09 Introduction to Design.
The context of this module in your course. Design as an iterative process, group working, discussion of assignments, how to get good marks.

Sources of information, British Standards and CE Marking.

5-10-09 Types of design problems. The importance of simplicity. Some basic design principles. Avoiding failure and learning from failure.
Guidance to writing a Product Design Specification
TRIZ: Glenn Mazur: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
12-10-09Methods for solving design problems, brainstorming, evaluation matrix, quality function deployment.
Statistical considerations, and Tolerances and fits and factors of safety. Reliability.
19-10-09Failure: General Introduction HSE introduction to Risk Assessment
Failure modes and Failure theories and Stress concentration.
26-10-09 Failure under combined loading. and
2-D stress investigation - Mohr's circle and von Mises failure criterion - interactive plots.
2-11-09Transmission systems. and Belt Drives - simple theory.
Gear design home page (36kB file) and gear nomenclature, (57kB file).
9-11-09Motors and Drives, hydraulic and pneumatic. Related products: Automotion Limited.
Clutches, with clutch torque "Calculator" and brakes.
16-11-09 Bolted and welded joints. Interactive "Plot and Calculator" for bolt proof loads and Bolt ultimate load "Calculator"; and Interactive "Plot / Calculator" for stresses in an array of fasteners.
Self-Piercing Rivets - link to Henrob Limited site.
23-11-09Selection of materials. also ferrous metals. and aluminium alloys also Superform Aluminium, also titanium and its alloys. also magnesium alloys. also brasses.
30-11-09Bearings. and Link to INA Bearing Company Ltd.
7-12-09 Lubrication of plain bearings.
Link to site that discusses lubrication and cooling of gearboxes.
13-12-09 Bearings and lubrication, continued.
11-1-2010Costs, Bill of Materials and Preferred sizes.
18-1-2010Gaskets and Seals, Flexitallic web site - look under 'Products',
Stresses in engine gudgeon pin
Stresses in engine piston ring
25-1-2010Engineering and the Environment
Ethics notes and
Loughborough University site on 'Ecodesign'
1-2-2010 Fatigue and fracture mechanics. and Goodman fatigue criterion and "Calculator". or Goodman fatigue criterion "Calculator with interactive plot".
8-2-2010 Continue above.
15-2-2010 Mechanisms, valve train accelerations and forces
A lot of useful mechanism information and animations is on the Brock Institute for Advanced Studies site.
Buckling, and buckling "Calculator with interactive plot", or buckling "Calculator".
Springs. and Spring Design calculator with interactive plot
1-3-2010 Sensors Engine management, Actuators

Note: The lecture programme may be varied somewhat according to student feedback, however the hand in dates for the assignments can not be changed - you should be aware that late submission of an assignment results in a zero mark unless you have valid extenuating circumstances.


Design - Assignment 3 - A selection of Recent feedback - NOTE these selected comments!! Also note that the same causes of lost marks occur every year!

1. Some reports were quite reasonable.
2. Most of the reports would have benefitted by better explanations, eg by making use sketches to illustrate written descriptions.
3. Almost all groups lost marks because major decisions were made with no quantifiable basis. Evaluation matrices should have been used.
4. In all reports the analysis could have been improved as there was insufficient analysis carried out and that which was included was in many cases lacking in explanation.


Suggested Books - General Design:
1. ** 'Mechanical Engineering Design Notes - Theme: Automotive Engines', by David Grieve, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-9560037-0-6.
2. ** 'Mechanical Engineering Design', by J E Shigley and C R Mischke, 5th Ed., McGraw Hill.
3. 'Total Design', by S Pugh, Addison Wesley, 1991.
4. 'Case Studies in Engineering Design', by C Matthews, Arnold, 1998.
5. 'Mechanical Behaviour of Materials', by N E Dowling, Prentice - Hall, 1993.
6. 'Composites - Design Manual', by J A Quinn, J A Quinn Associates, Liverpool, L25 4SY, 2002.
7. ** 'Mechanical Design', by Peter R N Childs, Arnold, 1998.
8. 'Machine Elements in Mechanical Design', by R L Mott, Prentice - Hall Inc., 3rd ed. 1999.
9. 'Design of Machinery', by R L Norton, McGraw - Hill International Editions, 1999.
10. 'The Engineering Design Process', A Ertas and J C Jones, John Wiley and Sons, 1993.
11. 'Engineer's Toolkit - Engineering Ethics', by C Mitcham and R S Duvall, Prentice Hall, 2000.
Useful Reference:
12. 'Without Hot Air', by David J C MacKay, 2009. Free online: http://www.withouthotair.com. A lot of useful information on energy.
13. 'Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain', by W C Young, 7th Ed. McGraw Hill.
** Indicates the text includes tables / charts from Raimondi and Boyd for plain bearing design.

Return to Online Documentation Index Page

David J Grieve, 13th October 2009.