Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: GRAP9481C
Course Title: Research and select manufacturing technologies
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C5435 - Diploma of Product Design
Course Contact: Robin Blood
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4683
Course Contact Email: robin.blood@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Kevin Lewis
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Nil
Course Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine production considerations and then to investigate and select a manufacturing technology that is suitable for the design concept.
This unit applies to individuals working in a manufacturing or design studio environment. They analyse and compare technical information from a wide range of sources to develop a design solution.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSFFDM4019 Research and select manufacturing technologies |
Element: |
1. Determine production considerations |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify and collate information about project brief and initial design concepts 1.2 Review information and establish production parameters and constraints 1.3 Identify all those involved in the production process and seek input on key considerations for selecting manufacturing technology 1.4 Establish key technical parameters for selection of manufacturing technology |
Element: |
2. Investigate potential manufacturing technologies |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify and assess information sources on potential technologies 2.2 Assess feasibility of technologies in context of design concept and overall design brief 2.3 Identify and interrogate how manufacturing process and its technical application may impact eventual outcome 2.4 Identify sustainability and safety aspects of technologies and assess implications for use 2.5 Source and compare information about costs and technology access against project brief |
Element: |
3. Refine ideas and select solution |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Explore and refine ideas about technologies through process of reflection and testing 3.2 Test compatibility of manufacturing technologies with design concept and adapt approaches 3.3 Choose manufacturing technology solution that works with proposed design solution and make it integral to ongoing design process 3.4 Provide clear and relevant rationale for technology chosen |
Learning Outcomes
Refer to Elements/Performance Criteria
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio, maker space and workshop environment using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study. In-class activities will include:
- class exercises
- tutorials
- practical demonstrations
- workshops
- group discussion
- review and revision
- peer learning
- peer teaching and class presentations
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- workshop for all student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Out of class activities may include:
- independent research
- independent project based work
- studio practice
- online tutorials and activities
- review and revision
Teaching Schedule
WeekTopicsAssessment Due| Week 1 |
Introduction to course and explanation of the 4 assessment tasks. Show and discuss video on the manufacturing of bicycles. Explain and demonstrate Task 2, Disassembly and Analysis. Disassemble a product with at least 5 components. Emphasis upon safe operations. |
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| Week 2 |
Class Activity: Fasteners Explain how screw threads work and demonstrate tapping and cutting screw threads. Students to tap their own examples. Continue with Task 2. |
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| Week 3 |
Cutting: Explain subtractive manufacturing, cutting, shaving, grinding, polishing, drilling, milling, eroding, turning. Hands on demonstration of the machines available in the workshop. Continue with Task 2. |
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| Week 4 |
Extrusions and joints: Explain and demonstrate techniques involved in selecting and using off the shelf aluminium extrusions and how they can be modified. Continue with Task 2. |
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| Week 5 |
Task 2 due. Explain and demonstrate Task 3, Optimised design. Students should choose a simple product, with at least 5 components, to be manufactured using a variety of materials and processes. Disassemble a product and analyse how it was made. Look for materials, processes and discuss options. Look for part lines, different materials. |
Assessment Task 1 Due in Week 5 |
| Week 6 |
Product Optimisation: Production optimisation in class activity. Students should generate a number of ideas for the fabrication of a simple part using metal(s) fabrication techniques. Continue with Task 3. |
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| Week 7 |
T.B.A. Continue with Task 3. |
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| Week 8 |
Die Casting: Similarities to injection moulding, high and low pressure die casting, other casting processes. Continue with Task 3. |
Assessment Task 2 Due in Week 8 |
| Week 9 |
Composites: Demonstration of GRP. Epoxy/polyester resins, glass, carbon, other fibres, in mold reinforcement, sealing, mold design, part lines, fillers and gel coats Continue with Task 3. |
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| Week 10 |
Task 3 due. Explain and demonstrate Task 4, Simple products that can be manufactured using simple processes from recycled plastic. Emphasis upon safe operations, only use HDPE. Demonstrate manufacture of solid rods and blocks. Discuss molding requirements (draft angles, shrinkage, handling hot plastic) Research based upon the work of Precious Plastic and Brothers Make.
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| Week 11 |
3D Printing: Discuss various types of additive manufacturing processes available. Materials such as plastics, ceramics, metals, concrete. Continue with Task 4. |
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| Week 12 |
Finishing: Discuss and show examples of electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, baked enamelling, powder coating, painting (spray, electrostatic, brush, roller), shrink wrapping and adhesive covering. Disassemble a product and analyse how it was made. Look for materials, processes and discuss options. Look for part lines, different materials. Continue with Task 4. |
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Week 13
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Adhesives: Discus and demonstrate a variety of adhesives for fixing parts into place. Adhesives for timber, plastic, metals, general adhesives and glues, tapes. Continue with Task 4. |
Assessment Task 3 Due in Week 13
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| Week 14 |
Sheet Metal: Discuss and demonstrate cutting and bending sheet metal. Discuss ways that it can be joined. Treatment such as heat treating, tempering, stress relief. Discuss Task 1, (Knowledge test). Continue with Task 4. |
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| Week 15 |
Plywood: Discuss and demonstrate examples of the use of laminated veneers to produce structural parts. Manufacturing processes. Task 1 due: (knowledge Test) |
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| Week 16 |
Recap of semesters work. Task 4 Due. |
Assessment Task 4 Due in Week 16 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Students will need to refer to CANVAS as teaching resources may vary according to teaching schedule and task requirements.
Prescribed Texts: There are no compulsory prescribed texts in this course.
You are advised to look at the Learning Hub at myRMIT site for ongoing updated information.
A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year.
You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software.
Study Support
Study support - RMIT University
RMIT Library.
You will also have access to the library resources.
Among the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students.
RMIT Library has produced the following:
subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments will be held throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess your performance and the application of your knowledge and skills and may include practical tasks, project,direct observation including exploration of and experimentation with techniques,written and/or oral questioning and discussions to assess your knowledge and understanding of this unit.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher for each assessment task.
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Test
Due: Week 5
Assessment Task 2: Manufacturing Process Analysis
Due Week 8
Assessment Task 3: Manufacturing Optimisation
Due Week 13
Assessment Task 4: Manufacturing Recycled Plastic
Due Week 16
Due dates for assessment tasks dependent on access to specialist facilities and equipment may change. Please check Canvas regularly as any updates will be communicated by your teacher.
You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback with verbal and/or written evaluation of your progress within class time.
The submitted projects will be assessed with written feedback as well as a checklist that relates to separate components of the project and the overall outcome.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration and CANVAS for each assessment task.
Other Information
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration and CANVAS for each assessment task.
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Assessment - RMIT University
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Academic progress - RMIT University
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (e.g. applying for an extension of time):
Assessments and results - RMIT University
On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your competency assessment.
Submissions that are assessed as Not Satisfactory can be re-submitted once and this is only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Academic integrity - RMIT University
Submissions
When submitting work for assessment you are required to complete a declaration of authorship. This must be done for every summative assessment task. This statement acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. For non-digital submission use the printed form provided. For digital online submission please use e Submission process.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
Current students - RMIT University
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
Credit for prior study or experience - RMIT University
Course Overview: Access Course Overview