School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University

Advanced Manufacturing Systems MSc

The distance learning programme is designed to enable you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace.

There is no requirement to attend lectures at Brunel University, instead you follow a structured programme of self-study at home or at work. Students are supplied with a study pack in the form of text books and CD-ROMs which are supported by e-learning web based lecture materials.

Students can take between 3 and 5 years to complete the course, it is entirely up to you how long you take but usually the minimum is 3 years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and the dissertation in the third year. However, depending on your other commitments you can take longer up to a maximum of 5 years.

Modules
Compulsory modules

Systems Modelling and Simulation: Main topics of study: principles of systems engineering; modelling and analysis of discrete systems; material flow systems (assembly lines, transfer lines, serial systems, shop scheduling, flexible manufacturing, group technology, facility layout); machine setup and operation sequence; material handling systems; general modelling approaches (queuing models); process simulation and data analysis, enterprise operations; supply chain and logistics-reverse logistics modelling concepts.

Manufacturing Systems and Economics: This module looks at advanced aspects of (a) Manufacturing Processes including description, analysis and classification of basic manufacturing processes; process capabilities, recent advances and developments, assembly systems, automation, robotics and CNC machines, CAD/CAM application, (b) Production Operations including Plant layout, Group Technology, Cellular Manufacturing and Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Lean manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, KANBAN, JIT, 5S, seven wastes, Poke Yoke, Value Chain, supply chain management and outsourcing and design reuse. Inventory control and MRP, and quality control. (c) Design for Manufacture and Process selection: including the relationship between design features and process capabilities, manufacturing system selection to produce a given design and (d) Economics for Manufacture: including Inventory Costing, Economic Order Quantities, Costing machine tool selection and cost of production strategy.

Sustainable Design and Manufacture: Students will be taught methodologies for assessment sustainability of a product design, and methodologies for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing procedures and operations. The module has a practical orientation, and at the same time offers common analytical tools for assessment to be used in the design and manufacturing environment.

Advanced Manufacturing Measurement: The module will provide an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand. The students will be able to understand the criticality and importance of automation and robotics in the modern industrial environment, and will also understand the issues and differences in automation practices between discrete and process industries. Students will be able to apply current technical knowledge in, and operating a modern manufacturing system, as well as critically analyse manufacturing systems and specify select suitable approaches for control, and to evaluate and justify an automated system.

Robotics and Automation: The module aims at providing an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand.

Computer Aided Engineering: In this module students will be taught (a) how to constitute entities of physical object, points, edges, surfaces and solids which are modelled for CAE, and the skills to implement them using a contemporary CAE software to create a computer model of a part, or assembly [Pro/Engineer, CATIA, Solidworks), (b) theory and some useful applications of computer models in mechanism synthesis and analysis using a contemporary CAE packages [MATLAB, SIMULINK]

Dissertation: Following the taught part of the programme and reflecting individual interests, the dissertation is an in-depth study of a manufacturing problem or situation, requiring a high standard of investigation and presentation. The analysis of a ‘real’ problem is expected, frequently involving a company or workplace. Close liaison between the University, the student and, where appropriate, the company is essential when selecting a topic which has a suitable academic content and an appropriate scope, relevance and timescale. Some students may wish their dissertations to be considered by the Chartered Engineering Institutions to satisfy requirements for corporate membership. In this case, a further set of criteria will have to be satisfied and you should contact the appropriate institute on the best way to proceed.

The School of Engineering and Design

The School of Engineering and Design is one of the largest and most successful engineering and design Schools in the UK providing a wide range of exciting, forward-looking undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Recognised as a centre of excellence in engineering and design with a strong focus on modern science and technology, the School has an international reputation in research and prides itself on high quality teaching supported by excellent research facilities. The School's high reputation has led to extensive and close collaborative links with industry. These links and the sandwich placement scheme for undergraduates and industrial links at the dissertation stage for postgraduates have meant that the School's graduates are highly sought after as employees. Brunel University's Placement and Careers Centre (PCC) were named winners for the third year running at the National

Brunel University

Brunel University has been ranked top in London, 6th in the UK and 35th in the world in a new world ranking of the top 100 universities founded in the last 50 years, the Times Higher Education.