Course syllabus

Konstruktion för X
Design for X

MMKN11, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2014/15
Decided by: Education Board E
Date of Decision: 2014-04-02

General Information

Elective for: M4-pu, M4-prr, MD4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is to introduce the concept of “Design for X” for the product development process design activity. “Design for X” is a well-established concept in industrial product development and design. It describes how a specific design aspect affects the concrete construction [ED1] method and/or the design of a product or its parts. “Design for X” provides support for how the construction method [ED2] and design should be carried out in order to achieve the best possible results based on an actual “X” in a given design situation. It also provides more general support in the entire development process for how you should take into account the specific “X”. The course primarily includes the following “Xs”: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA), Design for Robustness, Design for Sustainable Development, and Design for Costs. These generally constitute the most frequent aspects in almost all types of development projects. Additional “Xs” can be included, but will be treated in the form of independent studies within the framework for the joint project assignment.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to identify, in the framework of a development project, the need to analyse the “X” design aspects that will or should be considered.

be able to analyse and come up with solutions based on the following design aspects: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Design for Robustness, Design for Sustainable Development and Design for Costs.

for a given product development project, alone or in a group, be able to provide data for identifying “X” as it is described in the course literature or otherwise documented.

in a given product development project, along or in a group, be able to manage the production of the necessary basis for a previously unknown “X”.

be able to alone or in a group present the process and results of a complex DFX analysis in a development/design project, orally and in writing, to an industrial company.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

based on an design solution, be able to independently analyse the solution with the goal of identifying which or the “Xs” are of interest for the application in question

independently or in a group be able to analyse a unique design solution in regards to the following aspects: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Design for Robustness, Design for Sustainable Development and Design for Costs

be able to independently or in a group provide the necessary data for a given “X”

be able to independently or in a group present and communicate to an industrial company, or the equivalent, in dialogue, orally and in writing, a complex DFX analysis in a development/design project in the form of process and results.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to reflect on the design solution that has been developed and based on that, be able to offer recommendations for further and/or alternative design solutions.

be able to identify possible needs for in-depth analyses of the proposal that has been developed, including further development of the available DFX data.

Contents

The course starts with a survey of the DFX concept, followed by lectures on DFMA, Design for Robustness, Design for Sustainable Development and Design for Costs. For each of these “Designs for X”, the student is required to turn in an individual assignment that illustrates his or her understanding of the theoretical content. The student is also required to carry out a project in the form of a group assignment (3-5 students per group). The group is required to present a joint report to all the other groups (all presentations made in one session).

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: A group project is required for the course, carried out in groups of 3-5 students. To pass, the project needs to receive a score of between 25-50 points. All group members will receive their group’s project assignment points.

Parts
Code: 0112. Name: Project.
Credits: 3,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: The course includes an individual written examination on which the student needs to score 25-30 points in order to pass. Contents: The project is based on a given design/product that initially will be analysed from the required “Xs”: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Design for Robustness, Design for Sustainable Development and Design for Costs. Additional “Xs” can be included. Based on an analysis of the design prerequisites, the group will identify the “X” or “Xs” and as a minimum, independently study one of the “Xs”, which is expected to be described in the course literature. The group is required to present a complete report including all the “Xs” treated. The project is to be presented to all the other groups (all presentations made in one session).
Code: 0212. Name: Written Examination.
Credits: 4. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: The course includes an individual written examination on which the student needs to score 25-30 points in order to pass. Contents: The exam covers all the lectures on theory as well as smaller details of the characteristics of the application.

Admission

Required prior knowledge: MMKF01 Product Development and Design Methodology or equivalent.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: MMKN10

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Docent Giorgos Nikoleris, giorgos.nikoleris@mkon.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.mkon.lth.se