Module Details

Module Code: DSGN C1F02
Module Title: Agricultural Design and Mechanisation
Title: Agricultural Design and Mechanisation
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Cathal Nolan
Module Author:: Anthony Nolan
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to manufacturing processes, the design process, manufacture of components to ISO Standards and the inherantly safe design and operation of agricultural machines.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain and illustrate how engines and motors (diesel, petrol, electric, hydraulic) work, the energy characteristics of different agricultural equipment and the influence of soil conditions on their operation and maintenance requirements.
LO2 Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the wide range of agricultural machinery on the market. This should include machinery used for conventional and conservation agricultural practices and that used in livestock systems. Students will be expected to critique the energy consumption of various agricultural practices and how to reduce this consumption.
LO3 Demonstrate an understanding of the design, manufacture and repair of agricultural components, assemblies and machinery in a workshop environment, ensuring compliance with ISO standards, risk assessment & reduction procedures and CE certification process.
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the various regulations governing the operation and maintenance of farm machinery, both on the farm and on public roads, with special attention to Health and Safety Regulations.
LO5 Apply and solve formulae involving the concepts of direct stress, Modulus of Elasticity, shear stress, torsion, Modulus of Rigidity, torque and power transmission and their applications within in agricultural engineering, such as torsion in solid and hollow shafts, in belt drives, couplings, keyways and gears.
LO6 Demonstrate a practical understanding of the Health and Safety Aspects of agricultural machinery operation, maintenance and repair. Students will have the ability to conduct a Health and Safety audit of farm sites, equipment and machinery.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Understanding how machinery works
• Understanding how diesel and petrol engines, electric motors, hydraulic systems work, their energy requirements and how they are maintained.
Farm machinery types
• Understanding the machinery types associated with different streams of agriculture including tillage, dairy, dry stock, pigs and poultry
Regulations governing Farm Machinery design, maunfacture and repair
• Introduce the learners to the subject of health and safety regulations regarding farm machinery operation. • Identification of hazards and dangers in the engineering and farm industry environment. • Machine guarding. • Health & Safety - Employer and employee responsibilities. • Understand the procedures for conducting a risk assessment of a new piece or modified piece of machinery, Machinery Directive and International Standards of machine design • Fire extinguishers types and operation.
Metrology
Use of Vernier callipers, micrometres, height gauges, depth gauges, dial test indicators.
Fabrication and Assembly
• Design of components. • Interpretation of drawings. • Jointing methods. • Permanent joints e.g. riveting, soldering, brazing, silver soldering, gas welding, manual metal arc welding, adhesive bonding. • Semi-permanent joints e.g. locking devices, screwed fastenings, keys, dowels and circlips
Machine tools and accessories
• Introduction and safe operation of drilling machines, centre lathes, and milling machines.
Shear and Torsion
Modulus of elasticity. • Application to compound sections. • Shear stress and shear strain. • Modulus of Rigidity. • Torsion in solid and hollow shafts: Relationship between torque, shear stress, polar second moment of area, angle of twist. • Drive shaft configurations, cardinal shafts, balancing effect and coupling arrangements. • Power Transmission.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment40.00%
Project10.00%
Practical50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 3,4,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Risk Assessment and Mitigation, Inherantly Safe Design and Design Process
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 11 Learning Outcomes 1,2,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Class Test
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Practical Workshop Assessment
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 50
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 3,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Mechanical workshop design & fabrication projects.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
Reassessment Description
Leaners will be provided with the opportunity to resubmit their continuous assessment/project and/or repeat the final examination at the next available opportunity. Where applicable laboratory and/or practical workshops will also need to be undertaken and completed.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Laboratory Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Lab/Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00 12
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 11.07 166
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • W. Bolton. (1995), Basic Engineering, Butterworth-Heinemann, p.359, [ISBN: 0750625848].
  • Roger Leslie Timings. Manufacturing Technology, [ISBN: 0582356938].
  • R. L. Timings,S. P. Wilkinson. (2000), Manufacturing Technology, Pearson Education, p.432, [ISBN: 0582357977].
  • Stan Bray. (2010), Basic Lathework, Special Interest Model Books, p.182, [ISBN: 1854862618].
  • R. S. Rhodes,Roland Swetnam Rhodes,L. B. Cook,Leo Brian Cook. (1990), Basic Engineering Drawing, Longman Publishing Group, p.182, [ISBN: 0582065941].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Rajender Singh. Introduction to Basic Manufacturing Processes and Workshop Technology,, New Age International Limited, [ISBN: 9788122423167].
  • Harold Hall. (2005), Dividing, Specialist Interest Model Books Limited, p.104, [ISBN: 1854862383].
  • Ivan Law. (1988), Gears and Gear Cutting, Argusbooks, p.135, [ISBN: 0852429118].
  • Tubal Cain. (1987), Drills, Taps and Dies, Fountain PressLtd, p.104, [ISBN: 0852428669].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: