Courses - Faculty of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Stage II
Introduction to Mechatronics
Introduces mechatronics to mechanical and mechatronics engineers. Covers sensors and actuators, analogue and digital circuit elements for signal processing and programming.
Prerequisite: ELECTENG 101, ENGGEN 131
Thermofluids
The fundamentals of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer with practical applications to engineering devices and systems.
Dynamics
Kinematics of particles, rectilinear and curvilinear motion, kinematics of rigid bodies in the plane. Kinetics of particles, systems of particles and rigid bodies. Impulse and momentum, mechanism motion in the plane. Vibration of a particle.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 121 or 150
Design and Manufacture 1
The engineering design process as a teamwork and problem-solving activity involving analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical thinking. Design methodology and communicating design intent through written and graphical means. Introduction to selected motive power sources, machine elements for mechanical power systems, and production and fabrication processes.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 115
Design and Manufacture 2
Applying the engineering design process to mechanical parts and assemblies, with consideration of risk management and manufacturing impacts. Design for common production processes and fabrication methods. Design of machine elements including hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components. Documenting and communicating detailed design process and outputs.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 115
Mechanics of Materials 1
Principles of elastic material behaviour in the design of load carrying elements. Statically determinate stress systems; stress–strain relations. Bending of beams: stress–moment and moment–curvature relations; beam deflections; buckling of struts. Shear in joints, couplings, beams and circular shafts. General analysis of plane stress. Introduction to failure criteria by yield and fracture.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 121 or 150
Software Design
Fundamentals of software design and high-level programming making use of case studies and programming projects. Includes: requirements analysis, specification methods, software architecture, software development environments, software quality, modularity, maintenance, reusability and reliability; models of software development.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 131
Restriction: COMPSYS 202, SOFTENG 281
Stage III
Design of Sensing and Actuating Systems
A range of projects on mechatronic elements and systems, involving sensors, actuators and microcontrollers, as well as their interfacing. The design of mechatronic sub-systems, including interfacing, signal conditioning and processing, sensors, actuators, control technologies, software, systems modelling, simulation, analysis and design.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 235 and 270
Restriction: MECHENG 312
Thermal Engineering
Second Law of Thermodynamics, entropy. Cycles and applications. Heat transfer, heat exchangers.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 211
Design of Real-Time Software
Introduces the principles of software design in a real-time environment. Main topics include computer/microcontroller architecture, programming in a real-time environment, software design and data acquisition systems.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 270
Control Systems
An introduction to classical control of mechanical and mechatronic systems. Topics include: transfer functions, block diagrams, time response characteristics, stability, frequency response characteristics, and controller design (e.g., pole placement, lead-lag compensation, PID). Applications in MATLAB/Simulink and with physical systems.
Prerequisite: ENGSCI 211, MECHENG 222
Dynamics of Fluids and Structures
3D rigid body dynamics - inertia tensor, Euler's equations, gyroscopic motion. Vibration of single and two degree of freedom systems. Applications to vibration engineering. Introductory acoustics and New Zealand sound insulation standards. Mass, linear momentum, angular momentum and energy equations. Application to internal and external flows, boundary layers, pumps, turbines and lifting bodies. Experimental and numerical methods, dimensional analysis, similarity, and flow measurement.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 211, 222
Design and Manufacture 3
Good practice and standard methods in mechanical engineering design. Conceptual and detailed design in projects involving machine elements, engineering sciences and engineering mechanics. Some of the advanced computer-aided tools (e.g., CAD, CAM, CAE) will be introduced and utilised in some projects.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 235, 236, 242
Mechanics of Materials 2
Complex material behaviour and structural analysis, extending capability from two to three dimensions. States of stress and strain at a point in a general three-dimensional stress system. Generalised stress–strain relations for linearly elastic isotropic materials. Failure theories for ductile and brittle materials, elementary plasticity, and fatigue. Analytical techniques and numerical analysis of complex mechanical elements.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 242
Manufacturing Systems
An introduction to the procedures and technological aspects of a typical manufacturing system; basic concepts and practice of plant and work design, automation, CADCAM, planning and simulation; selected IoT technologies; and project-based introduction to the tools and techniques applied by professional engineers in a modern manufacturing setting.
Electronics and Signal Processing
An introduction to the design, analysis and implementation of electronic circuits or systems for various applications such as signal generation and processing, interfacing, and high power electronics.
Prerequisite: ELECTENG 101
Digital Circuit Design
Fundamental concepts in the design of combinational and sequential logic circuits. Modern approach to design using CAD tools that exploit the advantage of automation. Students will be exposed to the use of FPGA to rapid prototype digital systems using schematic and hardware description language entries.
Prerequisite: ELECTENG 101
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
Research Project - Level 9
Supervised research on a topic in engineering culminating in an independent written project report that includes a literature review, a description of the research and its findings, and a statement of research contribution. Further supporting technical material will be provided as a compendium.
Prerequisite: 75 points from Part III courses in the BE(Hons) Schedule
Restriction: MECHENG 407, 408, 461, 462, 762, 763
To complete this course students must enrol in MECHENG 700 A and B
Directed Study
Supervised research on a topic or topics approved by the Academic Head or nominee.
Mechatronics Systems
Fundamentals of digital control and signal processing as applied to mechatronics systems. Modelling and analysis of mechatronics systems that includes transducers and applications. Issues related to mechatronics systems such as thermal management, signal detection, filtering and integrity, etc.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 322, 370
Mechatronics Design Projects
A range of projects that demonstrate the application and integration of engineering knowledge to create practical intelligent devices, machines and systems. AI based control techniques will be introduced.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 306, 313, 370
Industrial Automation
Automation technologies widely used in manufacturing and processing industries. Topics include industrial robotics; programmable logic controllers (PLCs); pneumatics; machine vision systems; automated assembly; design for automation; and Industry 4.0 (such as machine-to-machine communications and data analysis). Students will participate in a number of hands-on labs throughout the course.
Restriction: MECHENG 710, 753, 754
Advanced Industrial Automation - Level 9
Automation technologies widely used in manufacturing and processing industries. Topics include: industrial robotics; programmable logic controllers (PLCs); pneumatics; machine vision systems; automated assembly; design for automation; and Industry 4.0 (such as machine-to-machine communications and data analysis). Students will participate in a number of hands-on labs, including an individual research project related to the application of advanced automation techniques.
Restriction: MECHENG 709, 753, 754
Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics - Level 9
Application of computational methods to fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Finite volume and finite difference methods. Convergence and stability. Mesh generation and post-processing. Application of commercial computer programs to industrial problems. An individual project in which the student will be required to apply a commercial CFD code to a research problem of the student's choice.
Restriction: MECHENG 718
Aerohydrodynamics
The study of fluid mechanics relevant to external flows, e.g., wind turbines, yachts, aircraft or wind loadings on buildings, boundary layers, computational fluid dynamics.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 325
Energy Technology
Industrial thermodynamics and energy conversion/efficiency, power cycles, availability and irreversibility, simple combustion analysis, mass transfer, energy studies, boiling and condensation.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 311
Wind Engineering - Level 9
Advanced specialist topics in wind engineering such as: the wind-loading chain - planetary boundary-layer flow, extreme winds, wind structure, wind loads, dynamic response, bluff body aerodynamics, vortex shedding, aero-elasticity, wind-tunnel testing, pedestrian level winds, wind energy. The core taught skills are extended by an individual project in which independent research is undertaken to solve a challenging wind engineering problem.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 712
Building Services
Principles and practice of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R), psychrometry, heating/cooling loads, mass transfer and air quality, refrigeration/heat pump systems, cooling towers, pumps, fans, valves, pipes and ducts.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 325
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Application of computational methods to fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Finite volume and finite difference methods. Convergence and stability. Mesh generation and post-processing. Application of commercial computer programs to industrial problems.
Restriction: MECHENG 711
Advanced Engineering Vibrations - Level 9
Selected topics in advanced vibration engineering: multiple degree of freedom and continuous systems, spectral analysis, analytical, approximate and numerical methods, including FEA, vibration instrumentation, measurement and testing, modal analysis, vibration treatment. Includes an individual project in which independent research is undertaken to solve a challenging advanced vibration problem.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 325
Restriction: MECHENG 722
Advanced Multivariable Control Systems - Level 9
Advanced control of mechanical and mechatronic systems. Topics include: state-space representations, linearisation, discretisation, stability, state feedback control design, optimal control, state estimation and Kalman filters. Applications in MATLAB/Simulink and with physical systems. Includes an individual research project related to the design of advanced control systems encountered in practice.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 322
Restriction: ELECTENG 722, MECHENG 724
Engineering Vibrations
Selected topics in vibration engineering: Multiple degree of freedom and continuous systems; Spectral analysis; analytical, approximate and numerical methods, including FEA; vibration instrumentation, measurement and testing; modal analysis; vibration treatment.
Prerequisite: CIVIL 314 or ELECTENG 303 or MECHENG 325 or equivalent
Restriction: MECHENG 719
Multivariable Control Systems
Advanced control of mechanical and mechatronic systems. Topics include: state-space representations, linearisation, discretisation, stability, state feedback control design, optimal control, state estimation and Kalman filters. Applications in MATLAB/Simulink and with physical systems.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 322
Restriction: ELECTENG 722, MECHENG 720
Acoustics for Engineers
The wave equation and solutions. Noise sources. Sound reflection and propagation. The ear and hearing system. Psychology of hearing. Measurement of sound fields and acoustic properties of rooms. Legal and standards requirements. Sound fields in enclosures. Sound transmission. Materials as absorbers and reflectors. Electro-acoustics. Digital signal processing for audio and acoustics.
Prerequisite: ELECTENG 331 or MECHENG 325
Advanced MEMS and Microsystems - Level 9
Working principles and fabrication of MEMS/microsystems such as microsensors, microactuators, microfluidics, etc. Exposure to engineering design principles including engineering mechanics, fluidics, materials, etc., at microscale. Includes an individual research project related to the design and fabrication of a device for an advanced application.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 325
Restriction: MECHENG 735
Advanced Biomechatronic Systems - Level 9
Advanced mechatronic principles and techniques for measuring and manipulating biological systems. Human biomechanics and motion control, advanced serial and parallel robots, compliant soft robots, software and functional safety, human robot interaction and force control, novel sensors and actuators, and biomechatronic design principles. Includes an individual research project related to the analysis, selection and successful implementation of one of these advanced technologies.
Restriction: MECHENG 736
Mechanical Design Projects
Team design projects requiring the ideation, development, prototyping and communication of design solutions. The projects will involve application of project management tools and techniques alongside selection and appropriate application of suitable engineering methods, while accounting for a range of design issues such as suitability, quality, safety and regard for the environment, with consideration to stakeholder values in the New Zealand context.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 334
MEMS and Microsystems
Introduction to working principles and fabrication of MEMS/microsystems such as microsensors, microactuators, microfluidics, etc. Exposure to engineering design principles including engineering mechanics, fluidics, materials, etc. at microscale. Exposure to microfabrication processes as part of a laboratory component.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 325
Restriction: MECHENG 728
Biomechatronic Systems
Mechatronic principles and techniques for measuring, assisting, augmenting and mimicking biological systems. Topics include: brain machine interfaces, sensors and actuators, biomechanics and motion control, wearable and assistive devices, bioinstrumentation, soft robotic technologies, human factors, safety/ethical aspects, and biomechatronic design principles. Significant hands-on experience through the design, modelling and development of paradigmatic biomechatronic systems.
Restriction: MECHENG 730
Advanced Materials Manufacturing - Level 9
Properties and processing of polymers and polymer composites. Analysis of selected manufacturing processes such as injection moulding, extrusion and liquid composites moulding. Viscous flow, flow through porous media and heat transfer. Includes an individual research project related to recent developments in advanced composites in terms of processability/manufacturability, functionality and performance/potential.
Composite Materials
Applications and manufacturing of composite materials. Mechanics of composite lamina/laminate. Failure prediction, design and finite element analysis of composite laminates and structures. Analysis and design of sandwich structures.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 340
Manufacturing and Industrial Processes
Analysis and design of manufacturing processes, with a focus on techniques to manipulate metals and polymers. Application of solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to current additive, subtractive, forming and injection/casting manufacturing technologies. Topics include: bulk and sheet forming, extrusion, injection moulding, 2D and 3D printing processes.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 340
Advanced CAD/CAM/CNC - Level 9
Advanced computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC). Intelligent CAD, feature-based design and manufacturing, CAD data interoperability, advanced CAM methodologies, smart CNC systems, and integration of the above technologies. Includes an independent research project to demonstrate mastery of the philosophy, analysis, selection and successful implementation of manufacturing technologies.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 352 or 752
Technology Management
An appreciation of the strategic systems and technology management aspects of manufacturing systems. Industry based projects that explore the design and optimisation of manufacturing operations form a major part of the course.
Prerequisite: B grade or higher in ENGGEN 303
Advanced Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing - Level 9
New or emerging technologies and their applications in manufacturing enterprises, including Industry 4.0, product modelling technologies, smart manufacturing systems, industrial IoT (Internet of Things) sensing and data analysis technologies, digital twins, and applications of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and interoperability standards such as OPC UA in a modern manufacturing setting. Students will work on research projects individually and independently on a topic related to Industry 4.0.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 352 or 752
Restriction: MECHENG 709, 710, 754
Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing
New information technologies and their applications in manufacturing enterprises, including introduction to Industry 4.0, product modelling technologies, smart manufacturing systems, industrial IoT sensing and data analysis technologies, digital twins and applications of RFID in a modern manufacturing setting.
Restriction: MECHENG 709, 710, 753
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Design for additive manufacturing (AM), metal AM, polymer AM, AM technologies, material extrusion, powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerisation, material jetting, binder jetting, AM thought process, economics of AM, support generation, residual stress reduction, post-processing, computational design, light-weighting, topology optimisation, lattice structures, mass-customisation, tooling, conformal cooling, heat exchangers, part consolidation, specialised AM software: nTopology Magics, Inspire, CAD for AM.
Prerequisite: MECHENG 235
Project X - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Research Project - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
To complete this course students must enrol in MECHENG 788 A and B, or MECHENG 788
Project Z - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Research Project (Mechanical) - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic relevant to the specialisation, as assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
To complete this course students must enrol in MECHENG 795 A and B, or MECHENG 795