Course syllabus

Design in Thermoplastic Materials
Konstruktion i termoplastiska material

MMKN21, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED M
Date of Decision: 2024-04-09
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: M4-pu, MD4, MPRR2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

With the support of the latest research findings, the course will provide knowledge and insight into thermoplastic materials, engineering design and manufacturing with thermoplastics. The course participant is also given knowledge about drawing up a plastic-adapted requirement specification and a basic cost analysis. Sustainable development forms an important foundation in the course. The focus is on bioplastics, resource-optimized construction, design for material recycling, energy-efficient production and the role of plastics in a circular society. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are covered within each technical area. After passing the course, the course participant must be able to actively participate in the development and manufacture of new thermoplastic products and be able to further develop products where thermoplastics replace conventional materials to achieve improved properties.


Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

External lecturers with research links will be invited to ensure that the most recent research findings are presented in the course. During the course, the students will get access to the latest research results in actual areas to enable independent and well-thought-out assessments.

The course consists of lectures, project work and assignments. Study visits are carried out at industries with different manufacturing techniques.

During the first phase of the course current thermoplastic materials will be presented and discussed, regarding material properties and costs. Then, a description of the most common manufacturing techniques for thermoplastics is given. After this, the course mainly focuses on the design aspects of thermoplastics.

Based on these insights, a product specification is established, aiming to form the criteria for the subsequent material selection. The choice of material is then followed by how the actual design is developed. Not only the material aspects but also the functional ones are taken into account according to sustainable development. The theoretical part of the course ends with an overview of production-related aspects, such as manufacturing methods, finishing work and cost analysis.

In parallel to the theoretical part of the course, a design project is carried out. The starting point is that practical elements must also be included, such as the manufacture of a prototype and information exchange with the plastics industry. The project is carried out in groups of 3–5 students per group. It includes the stages of problem analysis and requirements specification, concept generation and engineering design, material selection, selection of a suitable production method and production preparation with cost analysis as well as a project report and final presentation of results in a joint presentation.


Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

A passed exam and approved project work are required for the final grade. The course includes one compulsory project, which is carried out in teams of 3-5 students and includes the steps of problem analysis and requirement specification, concept generation and engineering design, material selection, selection of suitable production method and production preparation with cost analysis as well as a project report and final presentation of results in a joint report. All five parts are required to be approved for approved project work. Each approved part is assessed on a scale of 1–5 points. All members of the project team receive the same grade. The written exam deals with the theory covered. To pass the exam, at least half of the maximum points must be achieved. The final grade is based on the achieved result for the project work and a passed exam. For a higher final grade, an exam result that exceeds the project grade is required.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0319. Name: Development Task.
Credits: 4.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: The course project is carried out in groups of 3-5 students. The student must receive at least 25 points to be approved, maximum is 50 points. All group members receive the same number of points earned on the projects. The module includes: The project consists of the following items: analysis and establishment of product specifications, selection of material and manufacturing technique, establishment of the embodiment design cost analysis. The project work also includes a presentation of the results generated.
Code: 0419. Name: Written Examination.
Credits: 3.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: In order to pass the written exam, the student must earn at least half of the maximum score. The module includes: The written examination covers the theory presented in the course.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: MMKF01 Product Development and Design Methodology or equivalent.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: MMKN20

Reading list

Contact

Course coordinator: Joze Tavcar, joze.tavcar@design.lth.se
Director of studies: Elin Olander, elin.olander@design.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.innovation.lth.se/education/