HNC Mechatronics Engineering (Pearson)

U4001 Engineering Design

The tremendous possibilities of the techniques and processes developed by engineers can only be realised by great design. Design turns an idea into a useful artefact, the problem into a solution, or something ugly and inefficient into an elegant, desirable, and cost-effective everyday object. Without a sound understanding of the design process, the engineer works in isolation without the links between theory and the needs of the end user.

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes as an individual or part of a design team; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need. Among the topics included in this unit are: Gantt charts and critical path analysis, stakeholder requirements, market analysis, design process management, technical
drawing, modelling and prototyping, manufacturability, sustainability and environmental impact, reliability, safety and risk analyses, and ergonomics.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to prepare an engineering
design specification that satisfies stakeholders’ requirements, implement best practices when analysing and evaluating possible design solutions, prepare a written technical design report, and present their finalised design to a customer or audience.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4002 Engineering Maths

The mathematics that is delivered in this unit is directly applicable to the engineering and manufacturing industry, and it will help to increase students’ knowledge of the broad underlying principles within this discipline.

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ skills in the mathematical principles and theories that underpin the engineering curriculum. Students will be introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within an engineering and manufacturing context.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to employ mathematical methods within a variety of contextualised examples, interpret data using statistical techniques, and use analytical and computational methods to evaluate and solve engineering and manufacturing sector problems.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4004 Managing a Professional Engineering Project

The responsibilities of the engineer go far beyond completing the task in hand. Reflecting on their role in a wider ethical, environmental, and sustainability context starts the process of becoming a professional engineer – a vital requirement for career progression.

Engineers seldom work in isolation and most tasks they undertake require a range of expertise, designing, developing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the physical infrastructure and content of our world. The bringing together of these skills, expertise, and experience is often managed through the creation of a project.

This unit introduces students to the techniques and best practices required to successfully create and manage an engineering/manufacturing project designed to identify a solution to an engineering need. While carrying out this project students will consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions.

Among the topics covered in this unit are: roles, responsibilities, and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to conceive, plan, develop, and execute a successful engineering project, and produce and present a project report outlining and reflecting on the outcomes of each of the project processes and stages. As a result, they will develop skills such as critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation, decision-making, information literacy, and information and communication technology, and skills in professional and confident self-presentation.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4014 Production Engineering for Manufacture

All of the manufactured products we use in our daily lives, from processed food to clothing and cars, are the result of production engineering. Production engineers need to have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all the possible production technologies available, their advantages and disadvantages, the requirements of the production system operation and the interaction between the various components of the production system.

This unit introduces students to the production process for key material types; the various types of machinery used to manufacture products and the different ways of organising production systems to optimise the production process; consideration of how to measure the effectiveness of a production system within the overall context of the manufacturing system; and an examination of how production engineering contributes to ensuring safe and reliable operation of manufacturing.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about the role and purpose of production engineering and its relationship with the other elements of a manufacturing system; most appropriate production processes and associated facility arrangements for manufacturing products of different material types; and designing a production system incorporating a number of different production processes.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4017 Quality and Process Improvement

Quality has always been the key to business success and survivability, but it requires organisations to allocate a lot of effort and resources to achieve it. The key to providing quality services and designing top quality products lies in the strength and effectiveness of the processes used in their development; processes which must be constantly reviewed to ensure they operate as efficiently, economically and as safely as possible.

This unit introduces students to the importance of quality assurance processes in a manufacturing or service environment and the principles and theories that underpin them. Topics included in this unit are: tools and techniques used to support quality control, attributes and variables, testing processes, costing modules, the importance of qualifying the costs related to quality, international standards for management (ISO 9000, 14000, 18000), European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), principles, tools and techniques of Total Quality Management (TQM) and implementation of Six Sigma.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to illustrate the processes and applications of statistical process, explain the quality control tools used to apply costing techniques, identify the standards expected in the engineering environment to improve efficiency and examine how the concept of Total Quality Management and continuous improvement underpins modern manufacturing and service environments.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4063 Engineering Mechanics and Materials

Every aspect of engineering depends upon the use and manipulation of materials. Whether naturally occurring or man-made, it is the properties of these materials that are fundamental to their creation, processing and application.

This unit explores the fundamental structure of common engineering materials, their principal mechanical, chemical and electrical properties, and how these properties affect manufacture, application, service life and end-of-life management and recycling. Systems for categorising and ranking materials are also covered.

Finally, the service life performance of these materials is studied through calculations that measure their performance in static and dynamic applications, building on the work started in the associated level 4 unit, Engineering Science.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to identify the underlying structural properties of engineering materials and how these properties relate to their application and performance. They will also be confident in completing calculations relating to the static performance of these materials when in service.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4064 Analogue and Digital Electronics

Analogue and digital electronic systems are widely used for a variety of applications. These systems provide the building blocks for modern living; for example, smart devices/homes, Industry 4.0 and autonomous systems. Digital electronics are used to implement circuits such as the microcontroller-based systems found in mobile phones, computers, televisions, microwaves and many other devices. Analogue electronic circuits are commonly used alongside such systems. A smart speaker uses digital systems to perform ‘smart’ functions and analogue circuits are used to drive the voice interface and speaker response systems. This unit explores some of the specialist applications of these systems.

The overall aim of the unit is to introduce students to the fundamental building blocks of analogue and digital systems. Engineers from the craft technician to the Chartered Engineer should have an understanding and working knowledge of these technologies because they underpin all of our electronic devices, both domestic and industrial. The unit’s learning outcomes promote the development of skills and knowledge in the areas of digital and analogue electronics: digital electronics – developing an understanding of the basic logic components and how they are constructed, tested and used in circuit design; analogue electronics – developing an understanding of common transistors and transistor circuit design. Transistor and operational amplifier systems are another focus of the unit; these types of circuits are essential for signal
processing and reproduction.

On successful completion of the unit, students will have developed skills and knowledge in analogue and digital electronics, which are the basis of all electronic systems and device, including the understanding and practice of the theory of logic circuits and how to construct and test such systems, and the understanding and measurement of analogue circuits.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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U4085 Mechatronic Systems in Manufacturing

Mechatronic systems are a fusion of different engineering disciplines including electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering, and control and computer systems engineering. This integration of technologies enables greater automation in manufacturing, leading to time saving, increased output and cost savings. Examples of mechatronic systems include integrated automated production lines; measuring, testing and calibration systems for quality control; and closed-loop control systems for process optimisation.

Topics within this unit include the evolution, design and characteristics of mechatronic systems; sensors, transducers and actuators; closed-loop feedback systems; programmable control devices; interfacing; system integration design; and functional safety requirements.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to explain the design and operational characteristics of a mechatronic system, identify and apply a range of sensors, transducers and actuators, evaluate programmable control devices and design an integrated mechatronic system for a manufacturing specification.

If you only want to study this unit or up to four units for Continuous Professional Development purposes, you can do this with Pearson's accredited programme HN Flex.

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