Unit Outline

Mechanical and Mechatronic Design is a second-year unit that introduces students to fundamental design methods and principles in mechanical and mechatronic engineering. The unit covers mechanical and mechatronic calculations, component and materials selection, and the integration of electrical control systems. Students will learn to perform design analysis based on first principles and apply introductory design methods to create mechanical and mechatronic systems that meet specified performance criteria. The unit emphasizes the use of CAD modeling to develop accurate mechanical and electrical design specifications and technical drawings for manufacturing. Students will also focus on solving design problems by applying systematic engineering processes to develop reliable and manufacturable solutions. The curriculum integrates sustainability by requiring students to consider energy efficiency, material selection, and the environmental impact of their designs. Throughout the unit, students will develop technical reports that communicate their design rationale, calculations, and models effectively. Climate-safe engineering principles are embedded, encouraging students to develop designs that not only meet performance requirements but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring system resilience in the face of climate change. By the end of this unit, students will have developed core competencies in mechanical and mechatronic design, CAD modeling, and sustainable engineering practices, equipping them with the skills needed for professional practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply introductory mechanical and mechatronic engineering design methods, systematic design processes and engineering analysis to develop design solutions that meet specified design criteria.
2	Prototype engineering design solutions to develop solutions that are functional, reliable, and manufacturable.
3	Communicate design outcomes through technical reports documenting mechanical and electrical design solutions.
4	Evaluate and reflect on the mechanical and mechatronic design to evaluate outcomes and opportunities for improvement.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG107 Mechanical Engineering Foundations AND ENG109 Engineering Toolbox

Alterations as a result of student feedback

First running of this unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Foundation mechanical design skills	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Foundation mechatronic design skills	Week 8	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Design Prototype Manufacture and Refinement	Week 10	20 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Final Design Outcomes and Reflection	Week 12	40 %	LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Foundation mechanical design skills

Task Description:

Report on outcomes from project-specific application of foundation mechanical design skills including specification, selection, development, analysis and technical specification of a mechanical design and production of mechanical CAD models and drawings. This builds on design skills developed in year 1 units and leads to manufacturable designs facilitating design prototype manufacture. Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

4 pages + appendix (written)

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and develop design criteria and specifications.	LO1
2	Develop design concepts to satisfy design criteria and specifications.	LO1
3	Analyse and refine the design concept.	LO1
4	Detail and document a design solution.	LO3
5	Specify and describe the design solution.	LO3
6	Justify the design using calculations and analysis	LO3
7	Detail the design using CAD models and technical drawings.	LO3
8	Reflect on the environmental impact and sustainability of the design.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Foundation mechatronic design skills

Task Description:

Report on outcomes from project-specific application of foundation mechatronic design skills including specification, selection development, analysis and technical specification of a mechatronic design and production of mechatronic CAD models and drawings. This builds on design skills developed in year 1 units and leads to manufacturable designs facilitating design prototype manufacture. Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

4 pages + appendix (written)

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and develop design criteria and specifications.	LO1
2	Develop design concepts to satisfy design criteria and specifications.	LO1
3	Analyse and refine the design concept.	LO1
4	Detail and document a design solution.	LO3
5	Specify and describe the design solution.	LO3
6	Justify the design using calculations and analysis	LO3
7	Detail the design using CAD models and technical drawings.	LO3
8	Reflect on the environmental impact and sustainability of the design.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Design Prototype Manufacture and Refinement

Task Description:

Report comprising documentation of fabrication process and issues. Also report on prototype testing, evaluation and refinements. This utilises CAD designs and drawings developed in the foundation mechanical and mechatronic design skills assignments and leads to the final design outcomes and reflection. Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

4 pages + appendix (written)

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Manufacture and assemble a prototype.	LO2
2	Detail the design using CAD models and technical drawings.	LO3
3	Test, evaluate and refine a prototype.	LO2
4	Evaluate and reflect on the mechanical and mechatronic design.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Final Design Outcomes and Reflection

Task Description:

Report on final design outcomes and reflection on the design process over the semester. The final design will be specified through description, detail drawings and evidence of function and performance. Final design outcomes will be assessed in relation to overall design aims. Reflection on the design process will enable process and implementation to be discussed and recommendations made for improvement. This report encapsulates the learning in the unit subsequent to later year design experiences.

Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

8 pages + appendix (written)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

To pass ILO1 your aggregate mark on the Foundation Mechanical Design Skills and Foundation Mechatronic Design Skills reports assessing ILO1 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO2 your aggregate mark on the components of Design Prototype Manufacture and Refinement report assessing ILO2 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO3 your aggregate mark on the Design Prototype Manufacture and Refinement and Final Design Outcomes and Reflection reports weighted according to their contribution to the final mark must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO4 your aggregate mark on the components of Final Design Outcomes and Reflection report assessing ILO4 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.