Control Systems is all about plant and processes (systems) how they behave when subjected to certain inputs (system response) and how to get them to do what we want (system control). Control Systems 301 introduces the student to the characteristics of systems commonly encountered in mechatronics.

1. Use Laplace transform techniques to predict and interpret second order system response to step and ramp inputs.
2. Find the steady-state response of a system to a sinusoidal input by the substitution of j for s in the transfer function.
3. Use Laplace transform techniques to find the transient and steady-state response of a system to a sinusoidal input.
4. Use block diagram algebra, especially Mason’s theorem, to reduce elementary control system diagrams to canonical form.
5. Establish system stability or instability by the plotting of poles and zeros on the complex plane
6. Implement and tune control systems using aPID control strategy.

Six Sigma 1 ‑ Introduction to Lean Sigma quality aims to provide learners with an understanding of the tools and techniques of quality that are used in the attainment of a six-sigma quality environment. The principal goal of Six Sigma is to reduce variation in the process and improve quality. Through practical examples and exercises, learners will become proficient in the use of the basic problem-solving techniques used to monitor and control processes. The topics include: the Six Sigma DMAIC problem-solving process, Lean principles, FMEA's and risk management, the seven traditional quality tools, surveys, descriptive statistics and an introduction to inferential statistics. The module now includes lectures on Minitab – the industry-leading Six Sigma statistical software.

This module is also designed to meet the requirements of the Six Sigma Yellow belt award. This module aligns with the internationally recognised Six Sigma Green Belt body of knowledge from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and also from Quality America.

As this is an online course, the majority of students are working in industry.

1. Describe why organisations use Six Sigma andthe Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and DMAIC improvement methodology.
2. Define and describe Lean concepts and tools
3. Define, select and use the seven quality tools for problems solving, prioritising problems and improving processes. eg. Cause & Effect, Scatter Plots and Pareto charts.
4. Define, select and use the seven (new) management and planning tools. eg. Affinity diagrams, matrix diagrams and tree diagrams
5. Generate FMEAs and understand how they are used in risk management.

6. Calculate process performance metrics such as DPU, FTY, DPMO and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
7. Collect and summarise data using surveys, descriptive and inferential statistics and graphical methods.

This module will enable the student to examine the relationship between structures and properties of the main commodity plastics, examine the relationship between structure and properties of elastomers and to study the different types of polymerisation techniques

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the various methods of polymerisation available.
2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the structure and properties of a range of commodity polymers.
3. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the structure and main properties of elastomers.
4. Demnonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the differences between the amorphous and crystalline state of polymers.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of compounding and the use of additives in both thermoplastics and elastomers.
6. Demonstratean ability to carry out and interpret stress strain analysis.
7. Demonstrate an ability to carry out and interpret thermal transition analysis.

This module covers the principles and materials of plastic part design to ensure high quality parts for polymer and medical device sector.

1. Distinguish the properties of crystalline and amorphous materials to include appearance, flow, chemical resistatnce, shrinkage and deformation levels.
2. Explain structural design features such as wall thickness, ribs and bosses and their effects on weight and cooling requirements
3. Analyse injection mould design constraints to include part removal methods, draught angles, surface finish, and undercuts
4. Critically evaluate the injection moulding process with reference to wall thickness variation, shrinkage, deformation and gating points and their influence on the options at the part design stage
5. Design plastic parts giving due consideration to the characteristics of materials used, and production methods including injection, compression and blow moulding, extrustion and thermoforming
6. Design plastic parts taking advantage of the unique flow characteristics of the injection moulding process to include shear heating effects and melt viscosity changes throughout the injection moulding process.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the documentation requiremnts for the validation for a plastic part design.

This module aims to provide learners with the statistical tools associated with the six sigma DMAIC philosophy specifically in the areas of Measure, Improve and control consistent with the ASQ and Quality America Green Belt Body of Knowledge. The student will be able to perform basic statistical analysis, develop and plots control charts, determine process and measurement capability. Minitab statistical software will be used to demonstrate and apply these statistical techniques.

1. Perform basic probability calculations by applying the probability rules and concepts
2. Describe and interpret the common probability distributions
3. Calculate, analyse and interpret measurement systems
4. Perform process capability and process perfromance analysis and interpret the results.
5. Perform exploratory data analysis using multi-vari charts, correlation and simple regression
6. Perform basic hypothesis testing eg. Hypothesis testing of means
7. Perform one way analysis of variance
8. Describe the experimental design terms and process
9. Develop control charts for variable and attribute data and interpret the results
10. Develop control charts with Minitab
11. Use the six sigma tools to implement control and monitoring systems

This module familiarises the candidates with the mechanical considerations associated with the design and usage of plastic moulds. The module will be practically based and will consist of a combination of presentations on actual solutions to mould design problems followed by a CAD based mould design project.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the injection mould process/cycle.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the mainfeatures of mould construction
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of the influence of part design on plastic flow
4. Produce a mould design using an industry standard CAD system
5. Work effectively in Design Teams.

The project aims to provide students with the opportunity to apply and integrate the skills and knowledge they have gained on the programme of study they are undertaking.

The student should bring the learning from the modules covered in the course to conceive, define and agree a project which is relevant to the subject matter they are studying. A mentor will be assigned to each project, which may be individual or group projects. The mentor will act as a guide in agreeing the relevance and scope of the project, and monitor the progress on a regular basis. Updates will be sent to the mentor on an agreed basis.

1. Identify a problem which needs to be addressed of importance to the organisation.
2. Utilise an appropriate structured approach to manage the project with realistic, interim and overall project objectives.
3. Prepare a written report which outlines in detail the background to the project, the methodology used, discussion, conclusions and recommendations.
4. Present project results with Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations and discuss the approach taken and results achieved.

Control Systems is all about plant and processes (systems) how they behave when subjected to certain inputs (system response) and how to get them to do what we want (system control). Control Systems 302 introduces the student to analog and digital strategies for controlling these systems

1. Carry out practicals using analog control techniques on mechanical and fluid equipment.

2. Derive the difference equations for numerical integrators and differentiators.
3. Test for discrete system stability by location of the z-plane poles.
4. Design digital controllers using cancellation pole placement, one-step-ahead and Kalmanand Diophantine pole placement strategies.

5. Implement simple machine learning strategies in linear regression, logistic regression and neural networks using Matlab/Octave software.

6. Use software (e.g. LabView, Simulink) to tune PID controllers.

T his course aims to provide the student with a broad understanding of the various medical devices available for the treatment and prevention of diseases, their control and regulation and their modes and methods of manufacture. It also aims to provide an overview of the medical device industry both globally as well as nationally.

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the medical device industry, the principal companies involved and the main product types being manufactured.
2. Explain the various principles and practices involved in the control and regulation of the medical device industry
3. Describe the theory, practice and practical applications of polymer-based medical devices.
4. Describe the theory, practice and practical applications of medical devices manufactured from a variety of other materials such as metals, natural materials, composites.
5. Compare and contrast the principal steps involved in the manufacturing of a range of different medical device products.
6. Explain the various principles and practices involved in the validation of medical device processes

This module will provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of operation, construction and layout of equipment used in the melt processing of polymeric materials.

The student will study the relationship between materials, products and process variables.

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the principles of Rheology.
2. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and practical experience of the extrusion process including compounding, sheet production, and profile production.
3. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and practical experience of the injection moulding process.
4. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the effect that material properties have on melt processing conditions.
5. Communicate effectively in written form.

This module consists of topics from Integral and Differential Calculus, Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers. These topics include differential equations and applications, Laplace Transforms, De Moivre's Theorem, Fourier Transforms, Gaussian Elimination and z-transforms.

1. Solve first order differential equations using separable variables technique and the integrating factor method
2. Solve first and second order differential equations using Laplace transforms
3. Solve second order differential equations using the complementary function and particular integral methods.
4. Calculate powers of complex numbers using theorems of DeMoivre and Euler.
5. Solve linear systems using Gaussian Elimination and apply this to engineering problems

6. Be able to obtain the z-Transform of some standard functions and solve first order difference equations.
7. Evaluate eigenvalues and eigenvetors and solve matrix transformation problems