Module Code - Title:
ME4157
-
PROTOTYPE BUILD AND TEST
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
ME4818
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
During this module, students will build and experimentally investigate the performance of prototypes which they will have designed during the modules Mechanical Design and Design of Thermo-Fluidic Systems. Through this module, students will learn to work collaboratively, to interact with technical staff, and to design and conduct experiments to determine the performance of their prototypes.
Syllabus:
Fabrication methods, experimental design, instrumentation, use of standards, experimental methods, uncertainty analysis, data analysis, technical writing.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Select appropriate fabrication techniques
- Select appropriate instrumentation to achieve a given measurement accuracy
- Select appropriate data acquisition techniques
- Design an experiment, in accordance with standards where applicable, to determine relevant performance characteristics
- Analyse and interpret the results of an experiment
- Report on an engineering project and on the results of an experiment
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
At the end of this module, students will be able to work as part of a group and to interact with workshop technicians to manufacture engineering prototypes.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Students will learn to assemble prototypes, instrument prototypes and to perform experimental measurements of quantities such as temperature, strain, flow rate, velocity and pressure.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will meet as groups with their project supervisors once per week. At these meetings, students will inform supervisors of progress and difficulties encountered, and supervisors will give direction and advise on appropriate courses of action. Research active supervisors will link projects to their research area and bring their research supervision expertise to bear on the project.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Holman, J. (2001)
Experimental methods for engineers
, McGraw Hill
Young, T.M. (2005)
Technical Writing A-Z
, ASME
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MEMEENTFA - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Ronan.Grimes@ul.ie