MEC8029 : Design of Mechanical Power Transmissions
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Professor Brian Shaw
- Lecturer: Dr Robert Frazer, Dr Timothy Lisle
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To teach how to design and use mechanical power transmission systems and equipment, especially rotary drive systems. The module aims to enable students to specify / select / design drive systems to link a variety of prime movers to a very wide variety of driven loads to a given performance specification. It also aims to teach the design of selected power transmission components, equipment and systems in detail and to apply the knowledge gained to the design of a mechanical power transmission.
Outline Of Syllabus
Drive systems are integral to most machines and products. This course deals with the systems and the detail engineering to design successful transmissions:
- Introduction to drive systems and components.
- Principles of drive system and component design/selection.
- Design of power transmission shaft/bearing/housing assemblies for ease of manufacture and assembly.
- Gear drives, gear types, main characteristics, geometry, materials and manufacturing routes.
- Design and analysis of spur and helical gears.
- Hydraulic drive systems.
- Selected electrical drive systems.
- Drive system matching and selection.
- Detail design of typical mechanical power transmissions.
- Includes assignments to design/specify mechanical power transmissions in detail.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 34 | 0:30 | 17:00 | Recommended revision for exams, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | End of Semester Examination. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 30:00 | 60:00 | Target non-timetable hours to complete coursework assignment submissions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 17 | 2:00 | 34:00 | Structured presentation of syllabus may include skills demonstration, formative feedback, etc |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Extended activity (laboratory) to apply taught material, develop professional skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 59:00 | 59:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 3:00 | 24:00 | Problem classes (“tutorials”) to support independent study and reinforce skills practise |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures and course hand-outs introduce the topics and provide a firm foundation for the subject.
The machinery “tour” and hands-on exercises allow students to see many types of drive system design and experience several drive systems operating.
The gear software is used during the course and represents the industry standard transmission design software and allows selection of optimal gear designs.
The tutorial classes allow students to handle real mechanical components, view operating machinery and try out both design and analysis techniques under supervision.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 180 | 1 | A | 70 | Unseen examination based around design exercises. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 30 | Gearbox assignment. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The gearbox assignment, backed up by tutorials, applies the taught material and leads the students to a greater depth of understanding of the detail design of components and/or selection & matching of drive systems.
The unseen examination tests understanding of the lectured material using both normal exam questions and design orientated tasks.
The output of the gearbox assignment includes appropriate designs / system diagrams, calculations and evidence of appropriate decision making, all presented in a log book format.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8029's Timetable