Unit information: CAD for composites design and manufacture in 2014/15

Unit name	CAD for composites design and manufacture
Unit code	AENGM0018
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Potter
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This is a compulsory 10 cp unit which is part of the 180 cp MRes in Composites Manufacture, within the compulsory taught component of the EngD programme in Composites Manufacture.

This module will introduce the Research Engineers to the computer based tools that are used in the design of composite products. These include geometric CAD generation tools and a range of composites specific software tools including laminate modelling tools, drape modelling tools, and basic process simulation tools. The course will be delivered to develop a basic understanding of the processes involved in generating the detailed design in a computer based working environment rather than on training the Research Engineers in any specific commercial software code. The course will be delivered using appropriate software through a combination of lectures and examples classes to deliver a set of outputs comprising the CAD outputs required for a specific structure.

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Equip the Research Engineers with an understanding of the CAD tools available to support design and development of composite parts
2. To give the Research Engineers familiarity with using those tools to deliver the required outputs in a composites design and development activity

Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to:

1. Identify the appropriate CAD tools to apply at different stages in the design and development process
2. Understand the uses and limitations of those tools
3. Carry out simple analyses using appropriate tool sets

The learning outcomes align to A1 and B2 of the UK-SPEC.

Teaching Information

• 6 lectures
• 16 CAD Lab sessions
• Individual design exercise

Assessment Information

• Written Assignment (85%)1
• 20 minute Assessed Presentation (15%)2

Note 1: This assessment will use the individual design exercise for assessment and will develop the student’s ability to identify, understand and utilise a range of CAD tools to generate appropriate outputs.

Note 2: The marks awarded for the 20 minute presentation (15 minute presentation and 5 minutes for technical questions) will be equally distributed between academic and peer review assessment. This method of assessment was designed with the size of the cohort in mind (10 students) and provides them with an excellent opportunity to develop and build on their transferable skills.

Reading and References

Course book : “Manufacturing of Polymer Composites” by B T Astrom, Chapman&Hall