Mechanical Design Project (FSI-ZIP)

Graduates will be able to design a mechanical or electromechanical system (machine, equipment, apparatus) that meets the requirements for functionality, usability, manufacturability and sustainability.
- Knowledge of CAD / CAE methods and tools, advanced engineering analysis tools using FEM.
- Ability to apply the acquired knowledge in the design of new machines and equipment.
- Ability to solve complex problems involving the use of advanced analytical, numerical or experimental tools in mechanical system design.
- Ability to prepare drawings with regard to system functionality, usability and manufacturability with respect to production costs and sustainability.
- Ability to work in a team to design new solutions in a given technical field.

- Knowledge of the principle of sustainable development in relation to materials and products and life cycle assessment (LCA) and its phases.
- Ability to perform LCA – interpret results and propose improvements in terms of sustainability and critically evaluate material decisions from an environmental, economic, and functional perspective.
- Ability to integrate sustainability considerations into product design using a systems approach and understand the economic and environmental impacts of engineering decisions.

The course is focused on team realization of design task based on scientific research activities of departments of the institute, eventually on cooperation with industry. Design projects contain more demanding design problems, for which students must be able to apply previously acquired knowledge, methods and procedures. Each team has individual assignments and solves one assigned project. Each project is led by a teacher who provides professional guidance, checks the progress, analyses errors, and consults possible solutions. The output of the project is always a system concept that meets the requirements for functionality, usability, manufacturability, and sustainability from the perspective of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. According to the requirements of the assignment, the optional output can be physical realization including experimental verification. Emphasis is placed on synthetic thinking and its own contribution to solving a design task. Course integrates the knowledge acquired in theoretical courses bachelor and master degree mechanical engineering, especially in materials science, mechanics and CAD modelling.

Seminars in computer labs are realized in a block form with a progressive volume of learning from the beginning to the end of the semester.
- Presentation of project assignments, division of competencies, project map, Gantt chart.
- Problem analysis, technical review.
- Proposal of conceptual variants of solutions, analysis of variants.
- First review meeting with presentation of results.
- Calculation of project costs.
- Engineering analysis and material design.
- Drawing documentation.
- Second review meeting with presentation of results.
- Design of manufacturing method.
- Implementation of the chosen solution and experimental verification.

- Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA).
- Material selection for sustainable engineering design (case study).
- Sustainability in additive technologies (case study).
- Optimization of sustainable product design (case study).