Design Engineering

Course summary

A Level Design Engineering (H404) This is a new course for September 2022. Key areas of study: - Understand the iterative design process an engineer goes through to design and make a product that meets the needs of the target market. - Understand that most products consist of multiple materials and that design engineers are required to use the correct material for the application, considering the following areas: i. ferrous, non-ferrous and alloy metals, such as: mild steel, aluminium and brass. ii. thermo softening and thermosetting polymers, such as: o HIPS, ABS and polyester resin, epoxy resin and polyimides. iii. timbers and manufactured boards, such as: oak, plywood and MDF. iv. textiles used for reinforcement and coverings, such as: geotextiles used in civil engineering and construction. v. composite materials, such as: fibre-reinforced plastics, glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) and carbon fibre (CFRP). vi. smart materials, such as: o shape memory alloy, motion control gel, self-healing materials, thermochromic, photochromic and electrochromic materials. vii. modern materials, such as: sandwich panels, e-textiles, rare earth magnets, high performance alloys and super-alloys, graphene and carbon nanotubes