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Manufacturing & Fabrication - ELE00045I

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module introduces many of the processes that are used for creating parts, including machining (turning, milling, boring, grinding); EDM and etching; welding and brazing; adhesives and fasteners; forming (bending, stamping); casting and moulding; additive manufacturing; and semiconductor manufacturing.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce the theory and practice of manufacturing parts and assemblies using a wide range of technologies.

  • To allow processes to be chosen appropriately for any given design in any given material.

  • To show how design is constrained by manufacturability.

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop group working, research and writing skills.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Examine manufacturing processes to describe the structural properties of products.
  • Calculate and measure the material behaviour in manufacturing processes.
  • Examine the characteristics of various manufacturing operations, including machining and fabrication operations.
  • Determine appropriate manufacturing processes for different parts.
  • Design parts such that they are suitable for manufacture using appropriate techniques.


Graduate skills learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Work as a team on a design and manufacture project using a variety of manufacturing techniques.
  • To be able to explain basic characteristics of various manufacturing processes.

Module content

Cutting theory (chip formation, tool geometry, chip control and chipbreakers, cutting forces, speeds and feeds). Cutting operations (turning, milling, boring, grinding, lapping, polishing). Machines (lathes, drills, mills, boring machines, surface grinders). Computer aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM). Welding and joining techniques including brazing. Forming theory for polymers and metals. Application of forming theory (piercing, stamping, bending, pressing). Casting techniques including moulding (e.g. injection, blow, hydroforming), investment casting, sand casting. Additive techniques - 3D printing, SLS. Microfabrication technologies. Metrology including coordinate measuring machines (CMM), 3D scanning.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 50
Essay/coursework 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 50
Essay/coursework 50

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Indicative reading

  • Groover, Mikell P. Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: materials processes, and systems. John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
  • Groover, Mikell P., and Mikell P. Groover. Introduction to manufacturing processes. Wiley, 2012.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.