Advanced Manufacturing Technologies MSc(Res)

Program Overview

Students gain practical experience through research projects and benefit from industry collaborations with Rolls-Royce and Siemens, developing essential professional skills and knowledge for a successful career in advanced manufacturing.

Program Outline

This is an ideal course if you are interested in pursuing a career in advanced manufacturing. Sessions are delivered using a blended delivery model, with materials and tasks given in workbook format for students to prepare in advance for seminar and problem solving classes style with a focus on pair/ work and group work activities. (5 credits) (15 credits)

• Mechanics and Applications of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: In this course students are introduced to advanced conventional manufacturing processes including sheet/bulk metal forming and Machining operations and the relevant mechanics of the processes and materials deformation.
Analytical modelling techniques are also introduced and their applications are explained in order to determine the deformation of materials under the applied loads. Fundamentals of deformation and relevant force calculations together with mechanics of machining in metallic materials will be covered as the secondary manufacturing operations. The module provides a greater range and depth of knowledge related to the deformation of materials and process analysis in primary and secondary manufacturing operations using theoretical and experimental learning methods. The students will be equipped with tools to analyse and design manufacturing operations utilising various manufacturing methods within a wider engineering context. (15 credits) It explains its important role in the continual success of organisations. It also introduces how strategy can be translated into business practices, methods, procedures to achieve the goals of an organisation's strategy. The module is designed to develop your analytical and critical skills in the strategic management issues facing engineering organisations in today's fast-changing environment. It is a unique opportunity for you to equip yourself with the essential industry-relevant skills to excel as a future leader. (15 credits)
• Masters Research Mini Project: This module is concerned with initiating a research project.
You will identify a topic of the research for the allocated project and prepare a report that proposes initial study as well as providing the justification for performing the research. You will work in groups to review a current engineering challenge. The results will be presented in the form of infographics aimed at showcasing and disseminating the results of your study online. (10 credits) You will work individually on an industry focused research project. You will be supervised by an academic member of staff. The technical components of a project may be experimental, theoretical, analytical or design based and most projects will require proficiency in a number of these. Your project is assessed on the basis of interim presentation, conduct, final report and viva. (75 credits) You will: (a) acquire and develop professional skills, such as communication, collaboration, information management and research skills (b) have an opportunity to practise and build your creative and practical skills In addition, the module provides space for you to reflect on and build your profile by undertaking supported independent professional development in an area you choose based on your career plans beyond your degree. A set of industry-relevant problems will be provided to students along with experimental results for model validation. Students will be allocated one of their preferred projects and will have to devise a modelling strategy to solve their particular problem. Knowledge will be drawn from lectures introducing the theory behind finite element modelling of dynamic problems for modal and transient analyses, non-linear problems including contact, material behaviour and large deformation as well as fracture. (15 credits) This module introduces fundamental science that explains surface phenomena of wear, friction and lubrication. Students learn through industrial case studies, techniques to assess a range of engineering and machine contacts, from bearings to hip joints and banana skins! Theoretical and practical techniques will cover contact mechanics, friction, wear and lubricant films in hydrodynamic and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication regimes. Students will learn to evaluate failure mechanisms and compare key design features that can be used to diagnose failure as well as improve design. (15 credits)
• Advanced Engineering Fluid Dynamics: The module introduces advanced subjects in fluid mechanics and focuses on the theory and applications of the fundamental physical laws governing fluid flows.
The Navier-Stokes and the continuity equations are revisited and the energy and the general Scalar Transport Equations for fluid flows will be derived. Creeping flows, laminar/turbulent boundary layer flows, shock and expansion waves, drag rise and supersonic aerofoils, etc. will be discussed. A key skill developed is problem solving in the area of advanced fluid mechanics through how equations, models and boundary conditions may be adapted and simplified to describe a wide variety of engineering fluid flows. (15 credits)
• Advanced Dynamics: In this module we will explore how linear
  onlinear structures vibrate and how we can model them in order to understand and optimise their complex behaviour both analytically and numerically.
We will uncover the behaviour of theoretical nonlinear models and we will explore and evaluate the fascinating world of advanced dynamics, random vibration, nonlinear systems and chaos through lectures and dedicated reading. We link advanced engineering with concepts from physics and maths that are of core importance in the new era of engineering, considering structures from light aerospace structures to offshore wind turbines and space shuttles. Furthermore, we will discover the world of Hamiltonian mechanics by capturing its fundamental physics. The learning will be supported by dedicated tutorial sessions. (15 credits) The course starts with a brief review of vectors and tensors, followed by anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system. You will then be introduced to a range of modelling and experimental methods applied to a variety of bones and muscles. More specialised topics will be introduced towards the end of the course giving examples where biomechanical models can be used in various clinical applications. (15 credits)
• Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology: This module enhances students' foundational knowledge by introducing a more specialist Level 7 understanding of major aero propulsion devices.
For example, the rocket design will be mastered from the design lessons and innovations of the rockets of historical importance. The more in depth analysis of the alternative air breathing engines such as ramjet, scramjet, and synergistic air-breathing rocket engine will be investigated. Then the advanced gas turbine off-design performance will be analysed. The advanced gas turbine combustion will also be investigated. Finally, the recent explosive development of electric/hybrid propulsion and aircraft will be examined. (15 credits) The students will be introduced to the theory behind, and practice of, a range of measurement techniques, common to static and dynamic problems, through a combination of lectures and labs and tutorial sessions. Working in small groups the students will be tasked to design and execute a suitable experiment to address an industrially relevant problem; analysing data and making informed decisions within the context of the problem. (15 credits)

Semester 2 Optional Modules:

• Applied Modelling Skills and Virtual Reality: This module aims to combine computational modelling with state-of-the-art virtual reality and demonstrate the synergistic value of these technologies.
You will apply advanced finite element and finite volume modelling skills to investigate biomechanics problems associated with both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and deliver your results in the virtual reality format. You will also experience clinical radiation technologies such as X-ray and Angio systems through VR. The course involves a combination of theory (lectures) and computational labs. You will use the virtual reality tablets to study human anatomy and the virtual reality lab to deliver your final presentation. (15 credits)
• Design and Manufacture of Composites: This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of both the design and manufacture of polymer composites and is presented in two sections.
First, the design of composites is taught via tutorials on classical laminate theory. An extended series of worked examples provides you with the basic tools you need to design effective composite parts. Second, the manufacture of composites is taught via lectures. You will learn multiple routes for making composite parts alongside practical issues such as defects, machining/joints, failure, testing and non destructive testing, repair and SMART composites. (15 credits) aluminium alloys and titanium alloys) and high temperature metallic systems (intermetallics and nickel superalloys). The module centres on the physical metallurgy of such engineering alloys to demonstrate the effect of alloying and implications for the processing, microstructure and performance of structural components in a range of industrial sectors, but predominantly the automotive and aerospace sectors. (15 credits)
• Automotive Powertrain: This module considers the performance, design and emissions of automotive powertrain - from the combustion chamber to the driven wheels.
Environmental and societal developmental drivers of the attributes required of modern, globally applicable powertrain will be established. It will enable students to apply specialist knowledge (thermofluids, dynamics, materials) to internal combustion engines and their associated driveline components. Students will perform analysis of powertrain performance and select materials and design features to maximise efficiency before reviewing peers' proposals. The industrial state of the art and future technologies from research will be examined e.g. variable valvetrain, hybridisation and electric drive, modern combustion strategies. (15 credits)
• Advanced Energy and Power: This module will introduce students to the rapidly changing landscape of conventional power generation.
The course will provide a greater depth and range of specialist knowledge for advanced plant design for the future including carbon capture. This will provide a foundation for leadership and a wider appreciation of future conventional power station design. Students will become knowledgeable in the sources of pollutants and mitigation techniques employed by the industry and a wider appreciation of social and environmental considerations. The course will permit the students to engage in fundamental design of key components in power generation (burners, boilers) as well as in the simulation of carbon capture plant. (15 credits)
• Human Movement Biomechanics: Biomechanics of human movement is the science concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces.
This module will teach the students both the kinematics (the branch of biomechanics of entailing the study of movement from a geometrical point of view) and kinetics (the branch of biomechanics investigating what causes a body to move the way it does) of human movement and leverage on practical laboratory sessions to expose them to the most advanced technologies to measure and model the associated mechanical phenomena of interest. (15 credits)
• Human Factors and User-Centred Design: The module is designed to give students an introduction to human factors and user-centred design and how they are used within the design process (alongside engineering analysis, manufacturing considerations, marketing etc.).
It gives an overview of the theory and practices surrounding design with humans before asking students to apply those theories in a series of case studies. The module gives students an opportunity to work within a team and learn from peers as they tackle the case studies. (15 credits)
• Sustainable Materials Manufacturing: Materials production technologies are often energy intensive resulting in high CO2 emissions as well as other environmental impacts.
Many of these materials are also essential in enabling the green transition. This module will examine methods for carbon reduction across a range of the materials industries including steelmaking, bulk glass production and cement manufacture. The development of new production technologies and/or alternative compositions will be examined. This will be supported by a consideration of life cycle assessment and the potential for industrial symbiosis approaches for minimising the overall environmental impact of materials manufacturing processes. The overall aims of the module are to develop your knowledge and understanding of a) the environmental impacts of a range of current and novel materials production processes and b) potential approaches, and their technological limitations, to the decarbonisation of a range of materials production processes, c) the use of life cycle analysis in assessing the environmental impacts of materials processing routes. (15 credits)

Assessment:

Our assessment methods are designed to support the achievement of learning outcomes and develop your professional skills. This may include integrated projects, examinations and portfolio work. Regular feedback is also provided, so you can understand your own development throughout the course.

Teaching:

Opening in 2015, The Diamond building is dedicated to learning and teaching engineering. That means you get to do all the experiments yourself, rather than watching a demonstration. The Department of Mechanical Engineering is based in the Engineering Heartspace which opened in 2020. Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Network Rail. Our MSc programmes provide students with the technical expertise and professional skills expected of modern engineers, along with a supportive environment for them to experiment with and integrate these skills.

Home (2024 annual fee) : £13,000 Overseas (2024 annual fee) : £29,700