Materials and Processes
Overview
This unit introduces all aspects of product manufacture, examining materials and manufacturing processes and how they are used to create products. Students will develop an understanding of the techniques required to produce 3-dimensional outcomes. This will be facilitated by introducing the latest technologies within the workshop, such as laser cutting and rapid prototyping equipment.
Requisites
DPD20001 Digital Modelling
DID20007 Product Visualisation 2: Digital Sketching
ENG10001 Humanitarian Engineering Design Project
Pre-requisite
DID10001 Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching v1
AND
DID10003 Product CAD: 3D Modelling v1 OR DPD20001 Digital Modelling v1
AND
DID20003 Product Visualisation 2: Explanatory & Technical Sketching v2 OR DID20007 Product Visualisation 2: Digital Sketching v1 OR ENG10001 Humanitarian Engineering Design Project v1
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
- Prepare drawings to AS1100 for manufacture
- Analyse the suitability of different materials for the project according to specific manufacturing processes and their application within a given conceptual and theoretical framework
- Develop fully resolved prototypes of design intent
- Evaluate project outcomes in relation to the specified user group, the environmental impact, and the sustainability of the project
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Studio | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 114 | 12 weeks | 9.5 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Project | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Project | Individual | 25% | 2,4,5 |
| Research Piece | Group | 25% | 1,3,5 |
Content
Students will work towards a design project that focuses on one of the following manufacturing techniques while ensuring areas in a conceptual and theoretical framework are understood:
- Types of timber, joining and finishing
- Types of plastics, polymers
- Composites
- Injection moulding
- Blow moulding
- Rapid prototyping
- Plastic extrusion
- RIM – Reaction Injection Moulding
- Rotational moulding
- Thermoforming
- Plastic finishing and joining
- Types of metals and mechanical properties
- Sand casting
- Investment casting
- Pressure die casting
- Sheet forming and fabrication
- Metal finishing and joining
- CNC Manufacture
- Laser Cutting
The project also contributes to the following Graduate Attribute:
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.