Course Title: Design for Assembly and Automation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Design for Assembly and Automation

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MANU1175	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016
MANU1175	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	172H School of Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023
MANU2484	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	172H School of Engineering	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2019, Viet1 2020, Viet1 2021, Viet1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Sergio Almeida

Course Coordinator Phone: -

Course Coordinator Email: sergio.almeida@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumes knowledge of engineering design methods, design communication skills or equivalent. In order to gain the most from the practical elements in this course (for example, cobot programming and simulation), it is assumed that you will be capable of installing and running software on your own devices. 

Course Description

Assembly is one of the most critical costs in a manufactured product. This course develops your capabilities in Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA). You will build on prior engineering knowledge to examine the design of products for manufacture and assembly (manual, high-speed automatic and robotic) and the overarching impact of product design on product cost. Topics that will be covered include: 

• The economics of manufacturing processes and the cost of assembly in a manufactured product. 
• Assessing an existing product for design efficiency.
• Redesigning components to reduce manufacturing costs by parts integration and increasing design efficiency.
• Analysis of equipment to feed and orient components for robotic and high-speed assembly. 
• Effect of component quality on productivity in automated assembly.
• The use of collaborative robots (cobots) for assembly tasks. 

 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:
BH068P23 Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing & Mechatronics) (Honours)
BH086AMH23 Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing & Mechatronics) (Honours) / Bachelor of Business

PLO 1: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of fundamental engineering and scientific theories, principles and concepts and apply advanced technical knowledge in specialist domain of engineering.
PLO 4: Apply systematic problem solving, design methods and information and project management to propose and implement creative and sustainable solutions with intellectual independence and cultural sensitivity. 
PLO 5: Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods, practising professional and ethical conduct.

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:
BH068 Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing & Mechatronics) (Honours)
BH086AMHDD Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics) (Honours) / Bachelor of Business (International Business)

1 Knowledge and Skill Base
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
2 Engineering Application Ability
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Price the cost of assembly of a manufactured product
2. Redesign the product to further reduce assembly cost
3. Optimise the number of components in an assembly - particularly by integration with advanced manufacturing processes
4. Analyse high-speed machinery to feed, orientate and insert components into an assembly
5. Practically demonstrate an  awareness of the product design constraints and economics required to integrate a cobot into a generic manufacturing environment. 

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 

 

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.

A Universal Robots UR5e with a wrist camera and an assortment of grippers, configured for collaborative work, will be used for the practical aspects of this course.  Grippers include a Robotiq 2F-85 (camera integration), and OnRobot grippers: RG2-FT (Force and Torque), and VG10 (electric vacuum).  The Robot is mounted on a mobile welding table, providing a stable work area.  

Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks 
The assessment tasks are in one of two schedules: A or B. You will be advised at the start of the teaching period which of the schedules apply for any given teaching period and location.

Schedule A (Melbourne offering MANU1175)

Assessment item #1:  Minor project
Weighting of final grade:  10%       
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3,

Assessment item #2:  Major project
Weighting of final grade:  40%       
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment item #3:  Final assignment
Weighting of final grade:  50%           
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Schedule B (Vietnam offering MANU2484)

Assessment item #1:  Minor project 1 - Design for Assembly Report
Weighting of final grade:  25%        
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment item #2:  Minor project 2 - Product Specification 
Weighting of final grade:  25%        
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment item #3:  In-Class assessment 
Weighting of final grade:  30%            
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment item #4:  Final Report and Presentation 
Weighting of final grade:  20%            
Related course learning outcomes:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5  

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.