Curriculum Online

Options

Students are required to study two of the five options.

Electronics and Control
Applied Control Systems
Information and Communications Technology
Manufacturing Systems
Materials Technology

Option: Electronics and Control

TOPIC

Electrical Measurements
Components and CircuitDesign
Power Supplies andSafety
Electric motors
Assembly of Pre-designed Circuits
Sensors
Logic Circuits
Inputs and Outputs
Counters

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

measurement of potential, current, resistance, capacitance, frequency (V, A, , F, Hz)
indirect measurement of power
resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, voltage regulators, photoresistors, photodiodes, LEDs, phototransistors, variable resistors, potential dividers and potentiometers, and relays
the design, assembly and testing of circuits
select a suitable power supply for a specified application
the mode of operation of the DC motor; back EMF; the variation of current requirement with the load
reversing a DC motor
assembly of bistables and astables, amplifiers,
assembly of oscillators, timing circuits
printed circuit boards (PCBs)
prototype and batch production of PCBs
use of prototyping boards for initial assembly and testing of circuits
operational amplifier circuits (op-amps)
sensors for sound, heat, light (photoresistive and photovoltaic), movement
basic logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND and NOR truth tables
combinations of gates
the main logic families (TTL and CMOS)
the use of logic gates with sensors and output devices
buffers (transistors, amplifiers, paralleled outputs)
Schmitt trigger
binary inputs
clock circuits, de-bouncers, counters, seven segment displays and display drivers

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

select appropriate instruments, measure basic electrical quantities, and explain in simple terms what they have measured
calculate power in whole circuits and in components such as resistors and motors
use, and understand the function of, components in circuit design
use a potential divider as a volume control
design, test and assemble circuits, or circuit sub-units, making appropriate use of the listed components
choose appropriate power sources for selected tasks
measure the efficiency of an electric motor
assemble switches and motors to achieve forward and reverse motion
construct and make appropriate modifications to circuits, based on circuit diagrams
use an appropriate method to produce PCBs for a given circuit
understand both prototype and batch production of PCBs
demonstrate the use of prototyping boards in assembly and testing of circuits
design, assemble, test and modify operational amplifier circuits for signal amplification, level detection and voltage comparison
design, assemble, test and modify basic sensors
construct truth tables for up to four inputs using an array of up to four logic gates
combine logic gates appropriately using ICs
select the appropriate type (CMOS or TTL) of IC for a particular task
design, construct, test and modify simple systems using sensors, combinations of gates and output devices
design, construct, test and modify buffer or driver circuits for a variety of output devices
use gates with Schmitt trigger inputs to sharpen digital signals
design, construct, test and modify simple counting circuits capable of counting inputs from switches or clocks

Option: Applied Control Systems

TOPIC

Robotics
Introduction to Robotic Control
A/D and D/A Conversion
Control
Programmable Devices
Pneumatics

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

classify robotic joints by degree of freedom and co-ordinate frames
do simple calculations of forces and moments involved
classify robots by structure and application, with emphasis on manufacturing applications
understand the principles of open and closed loop control
understand the principles of operation and control of DC servos and stepper motors
analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters (A/D and D/A)
use of computers or other programmable devices (such as PLCs or PICs) to control various devices
understand the principles of combinational and sequential logic
programme a robotic device to carry out specified operations and to sense functions
identify pneumatic actuators, directional control valves, pressure and speed control valves, stop valves
understand the principles of selecting control strategies, e.g. totally electronic, electro-pneumatic, totally pneumatic circuits

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

identify robot types
specify robotic joints for particular applications
give an outline specification of a robotic structure and arms
be aware of industrial applications of robotics
identify suitable robotic structures and configurations for specified tasks
construct block diagrams of simple robotic controllers; calculate gains
select DC servos or stepper motors and controllers
incorporate and use digital inputs and
appropriate A/D converters
incorporate D/A outputs where appropriate
use a programmable device to control circuits or subassemblies which they have constructed, e.g. LEDs, bulbs, seven-segment displays, DC motors
program simple logic sets using Grafcet or function diagrams
programme a robotic device to do specified tasks and to modify outputs in response to sensed conditions
use appropriate calculations and/or charts to facilitate the selection of circuit elements
design, cost and build single or mixed technology circuits

Option: Information and Communications Technology

TOPIC

Computer Architecture
Data Communications andComputer Networks
The Internet
Multimedia and Design

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

1 kilobyte as 210 (1024) bytes
understand a computer's memory: RAM, ROM
understand the use of buses and different bus standards
understand hardware and software compatibility
understand the transmission of information via the communications ports using different peripherals
understand the characteristics of the Standard Codes for Information Interchange
understand the operational characteristics of a conventional network
Local Area Networks (LANs)
the internet and the World Wide Web
email
other internet applications
data protection
different image formats
different sound formats
multimedia applications

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

explain the difference between RAM and ROM
explain the function, capacity, speeds and expansion possibilities of buses
explain the compatibility requirements of hardware and software
adapt files for transfer between different applications
explain the transmission of information from serial and parallel ports through different peripherals
explain the main characteristics of standard codes for information interchange
describe the use and functions of a local area network
log on and off a network; set up log-on names and password-listed files and folders; work with a group
operate a LAN
explain what the internet is and show how to navigate the WWW using a browser
use search engines to locate desired information and explain the differences between two such search engines
use Boolean operators to locate more exact information
incorporate security features when uploading and downloading files by remote access
send and receive email, including attached files
understand the meaning of Internet Protocols
demonstrate video conferencing
understand data protection and the law.
import images via a scanner/digital cameraand create original images in the different formats for incorporation in multimedia applications, in either colour or grayscale
convert from one image format to another
alter image properties such as size, scale, brightness, contrast, gamma and tone to achieve desired effects
create (or record from appropriate material) sound files and incorporate them in multimedia applications
convert from one sound format to another and edit formats for length and special effects
understand how to navigate within a multimedia application and use its content to make a presentation
create a multimedia project to incorporate text, images, sound and some interactivity

Option: Manufacturing Systems

TOPIC

The Context ofManufacturing
Quality Management
Project Management
Concurrent Engineering
Manufacturing SystemDesign and Control

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

identify generic business and manufacturing strategies
identify generic manufacturing strategies for simple products
understand conceptually the functional organisation of a manufacturing enterprise and its links with other business functions
identify the key success factors in manufacturing competitiveness
understand basic manufacturing systems
the Pareto principle and its application in quality management
understand and construct N (µ, 2); construct and understand x-R control charts
understand process capability
understand sampling and its application in manufacturing
the historical development of Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Total Quality Management
the philosophy of just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing
understand and appreciate behavioural dynamics in team work
understand the life-cycle spectrum and apply some concurrent engineering methodologies for simple products
understand the role of geometric and feature based CAD in design and manufacturing
understand role of testing in product design
understand conceptually the role of accelerated testing for simple products
understand the impact of product life-cycle on the environment
understand the constraints of workflow, human factors and health and safety legislation on work design
understand the concepts of capacity management and activity scheduling in the design of manufacturing systems
understand the principles of plant layout

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

describe the context and expected outcomes of such strategies
discuss these strategies in relation to simple products
apply the Product/Process Matrix to simple product/markets
describe the functional organisation of manufacturing and the linking with communications and control systems
describe the key success factors and their linkage with the market and manufacturing systems
design simple systems for costing
design a simple system for assessing quality during the design and manufacturing stages of a simple product
sketch the Pareto distribution and use it in problemsolving
collect data for a simple manufacturing process and construct the x-R chart
calculate and interpret process capability indices for simple manufacturing processes
describe sampling inspection systems and calculate sample lot size for the purchased components of a simple product
describe concepts of QC, QA, TQM and their impact on quality management and organisation, in particular, behavioural and organisational factors
describe the JIT concept and its implications for manufacturing systems
describe and measure manufacturing performance for a simple manufacturing system
detail a simple JIT process
work on a project as part of a team
design, test and implement simple market research for product specification
design and specify simple products
discuss the application of QFD and ValueAnalysis concepts to simpleproduct/manufacturing strategies
apply these concepts during the design phase for a simple product
describe and explain the techniques for the design of very simple products for manufacture and disassembly using 2/3 CAD system
propose testing procedures for simple product performance evaluation
apply DfE concepts for simple products and processes
incorporate recycling, re-use and waste strategies into simple product specification
devise simple work cells for simple processes of manufacture, assembly and packaging
devise simple batch and flow processing scheduling systems for simple product manufacture
devise Kanban systems for simple product manufacture
use simulation tools and simulation games in designing scheduling systems and plant layout for the manufacture of simple products

Option: Materials Technology

TOPIC

Classification ofMaterials
Properties of Materials
Structure of Materials
Joining Processes
Materials Processing
Surface Treatments
Skills Development
Materials and theEnvironment
Quality Assurance
Production Techniques

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

understand the properties of a range of materials to enable the selection of appropriate materials within the context of design activities
identify materials in immediate environment and classify as metals and non-metals
identify the physical properties of materials and compare and contrast properties of materials relative to one another
group materials according to properties of electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, optical, magnetic and mechanical properties
how environmental conditions can change the mechanical and physical properties of materials
understand the nature of materials and the forces that hold them together
how inconsistencies and defects in materials can affect mechanical /structural properties
the methods by which materials are joined permanent and semi-permanent techniques
recognise that the properties of materials determine how they are worked
the methods by which materials are processed
evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of materials processing
the proper safety procedures and working practices when using materials, tools and equipment
show knowledge of commonly applied techniques to prevent or retard the degradation of materials
appreciate reasons for application of range of finishes to materials
use a minimum of two materials (at least one to be a rigid material): fabrics, metals, polymers, wood, ceramics, composites
apply knowledge of environmental and social considerations in product design and manufacture
set standards for the assurance of quality and critically appraise finished product against these standards
demonstrate understanding of once-off and batch production techniques

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

understand the properties of at least two materials at least one to be a rigid material
classify materials as metals ferrous and non-ferrous, wood, composites, polymers, fabrics, ceramics
list and show an understanding of the physical properties of materials to include hardness, toughness, ductility, elasticity, malleability
understand the nature of materials, carry out simple tests to demonstrate properties of selected materials and classify according to theseproperties
understand the conditions that cause the physical, chemical and biological degradation of materials
describe how materials degrade in certain conditions and how materials are altered by degradation
understand the nature of materials and the forces that hold them together
how inconsistencies and defects in materials can affect mechanical /structural properties
the methods by which materials are joined permanent and semi-permanent techniques
recognise that the properties of materials determine how they are worked
the methods by which materials are processed
evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of materials processing
the proper safety procedures and working practices when using materials, tools and equipment
understand that observable properties of materials are related to their atomic/molecular structures (atomic/molecular details not required)
use simple data from tensile, compressive, bending shear, torsion tests in design situations
demonstrate a knowledge of the main methods of joining materials metallurgical processes, mechanical joining and adhesive/chemical bonding
describe how the manufacturing /tooling processes vary according to characteristics of the material
demonstrate a knowledge of hand, machine, thermal and chemical methods of material processing
select and evaluate appropriate methods for processing materials in a classroom context
follow safety precautions in the processing of materials and in the safe use of materials, tools and equipment
describe how surface treatments are applied to a range of materials
propose surface finishes for different materials and evaluate effectiveness of finish against specification
understand the working properties of different materials
demonstrate high skills development
describe how economic use of earth's resources informs selection of materials, processes, finish, etc.
complete artefacts to meet specified design briefs
demonstrate constraints as applied to craft production and batch production techniques