Digital Manufacturing
Overview
This unit focuses on advanced materials and production processes, low volume production techniques and introduces design for rapid (additive) manufacture, including emerging and current manufacturing techniques. The principles of design for advanced manufacture will be explored with emphasis on design for advanced prototypes, utilization of new and emerging technologies and production documentation. Students will gain advanced product design and development skills through the design, detailing and documentation of a product for manufacture. This unit builds on knowledge gained from previous units and will ensure all students have the necessary knowledge on material and manufacturing techniques required to complete professional projects.
Requisites
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify suitable materials and manufacturing processes to inform project direction (K1 K4)
- Prepare drawings to AS1100 for manufacture (A2, A4)
- Analyse new and emerging technologies and materials for Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Manufacture and select the most appropriate and efficient process required to achieve optimal outcomes (K4)
- Utilise the computer-aided manufacturing facilities in the workshop to develop a fully resolved 3D product for manufacture (S1, S2, S3, A6)
- Evaluate project outcomes in relation to the specified user group, the environmental impact, and the sustainability of the project (K3, K5, S1)
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Studio | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Specified Activities Various | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Project | Group | 50% | 2,4,5 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3 |
| Research Report | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Types of plastics and additives
- Plastics manufacture and processes
- Composites
- Plastic finishing and joining
- Rapid prototyping
- Rapid manufacture
- CNC Manufacture
- Laser cutting
- Laser sintering
- Fused Deposition Moulding (FDM)
- Stereolithography (SLA)
- 3D Printing
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.