Unit information: Manufacturing of composite structures in 2022/23

Unit name	Manufacturing of composite structures
Unit code	AENGM0016
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
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None.
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None.
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

This unit forms part of the taught component of the EngD programme in Composites Manufacture and introduces the Research Engineers to the processes that are used in the manufacturing of composite components and structures. The course will start from the historical development of the composites manufacturing technology and place an emphasis on the fundamental physics and chemistry associated with the conversion of fibres and matrices into useful composite materials. Building on the basic science, the course will then examine a range of industrially relevant composites manufacturing processes that utilise both liquid resins and preimpregnated reinforcements. The course will also cover a first introduction to industrial practice in areas such as costing, tooling and plant design to equip the Research Engineers to contribute to the development of composites manufacturing within their EngD research programme.

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Provide the Research Engineers with an overview of classical and modern composites manufacturing techniques
2. Provide a practical demonstration of range of classical and modern composites manufacturing techniques
3. Enable the students to understand the industrial aspects of composites manufacture in addition to the processing issues

Your learning on this unit

The students will be able to:

1. Provide a clear overview of the diverse range of techniques used in the manufacture of polymer composites, their advantages and limitations
2. Appreciate some of the issues and methodologies involved in the selection of manufacturing routes, in particular appreciating the implications of matrix selection on the manufacturing routes available
3. Appreciate some of the characteristics of components made by different process routes and how these may impact on design and performance issues

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

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

How you will be assessed

• Written assignment (100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. AENGM0016).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.