For the Spring second year project, student groups act as the external Engineering Design Consultant and Product Designer for a brief of their choice. The output of the task is delivering a conceptual design at the end of one week's work.
For the 2018/2019 academic year, the briefs were:
2 col general content block
Hydroelectric generator
This brief asked students to develop the conceptual design for a portable hydroelectric generator that is able to fully charge two mobile phones overnight, to be used by campers and hikers.
The main design characteristics for the product were reliability and portability. Features such as secure placement of the device on a range of ground types (sand, rock, grass, etc) were incorporated in the design.
Key turner
Students were asked to design a cordless key-turner aimed at 'people with impaired manual dexterity', such as rheumatoid arthritis and/or the elderly.
The main design characteristic for the product was user friendliness, considering aspects such as comfort, operating time, ergonomics, reliability and the size of the device. Value for money was also taken into consideration. The product was required to work with the majority of keys and locks.
For the 2019-20 academic year, 38 project teams could choose between three briefs for their Spring second year project.
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Underwater propulsion
Whilst under water, scuba divers always aim to limit physical activity to preserve air. Existing under water propulsion devices are too large and heavy. The client has established a market need for a (very) small underwater propulsion device. The brief is to develop the conceptual design for this small battery operated propulsion device. As you always dive with a 'buddy', UPVs for two people should fit comfortably within one small rucksack or in one person’s (airline) hand luggage allowance.
Pill-bottle opener for people with impaired manual dexterity
Many medicines are stored in bottles with child-proof caps, requiring a press and turn combination to open them. Whilst this is a great invention for families, for people with impaired manual dexterity it is impossible to open these bottles. The brief is to develop the conceptual design for a battery operated pill-bottle opener aimed at people with impaired manual dexterity, such as rheumatoid arthritis and/or the elderly.
Battery operated thermal screen de-icer
In wintertime in colder climates car windscreens tend to freeze up. For many commuters this means an annoying morning routine of scraping. Some people use hot water, but the thermal shock could cause the windscreen to crack. The client has identified a market need for a battery operated thermal (or thermo-mechanical) windscreen de-icer and asks you to develop the conceptual design for such a device.
You can see a selection of Spring project posters from 2019-20 in the slideshow below.