Official course description:

Full info last published 15/05-23
Course info
Language:
English
ECTS points:
7.5
Course code:
KSHOMAA1KU
Participants max:
60
Offered to guest students:
yes
Offered to exchange students:
yes
Offered as a single subject:
yes
Price for EU/EEA citizens (Single Subject):
10625 DKK
Programme
Level:
MSc. Master
Programme:
MSc in Computer Science
Staff
Course manager
Postdoc
Teacher
Associate Professor
Course semester
Semester
Efterår 2023
Start
28 August 2023
End
26 January 2024
Exam
Exam type
ordinær
Internal/External
ekstern censur
Grade Scale
7-trinsskala
Exam Language
GB
Abstract
The course is a hands-on introduction to the tools that are necessary to design and develop physical artefacts.
Description

This course is the first course of the Robotics specialisation. 

The course will give an overview of the most important manufacturing methods like 3D printing, NC milling, laser cutting or moulding. In addition, we will explain how to design simple electric circuits to handle sensors and actuators and how to design printed circuit boards. These techniques will allow students to design physical prototypes on their own at the end of the course. 

The topics for each lecture could be: 

Lecture 1: The design process, 3D modelling and assemblies 

Lecture 2: 3D printing 

Lecture 3: Laser, water jet and plasma cutting and basic techniques (drilling, sawing, tapping, etc. ) 

Lecture 4: Machine elements (bearings, gears, belts, fasteners, etc.) and mechanisms 

Lecture 5: Electronics, sensors and actuators 

Lecture 6: Microcontroller programming and advanced sensors and actuators 

Lecture 7: PCB design 

Lecture 8: Milling and turning 

Lecture 9: Moulding


Formal prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. A completed course on programming such as "Introductory Programming" will be helpful but is not mandatory.

It is recommended to have taken the IxD Workshop Courses (Laser license and 3D printing license) https://ixdlab.itu.dk/courses/. These courses will allow you to use the IxD and REAL workshops during the course. However, we will run special courses for the students who did not take them.


Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

  • analyse and compare the main manufacturing methods
  • model 3D parts and assemblies using Computer Aided Design (CAD) Software at beginner level
  • select the best manufacturing process for a component
  • design simple electronic systems and circuit boards
  • use different manufacturing tools to produce parts
  • prototype complete, but simple mechatronic systems
Learning activities

The course is divided into two parts:

Part 1. During the first part of the course, there will be lectures followed by a laboratory session. Each lecture will explain a technique, which should be used in the following lab. The lab assignments will be carried out in groups of two or three persons. After each lab, the student groups should work on the mandatory activity and write a one or two pages report describing their work. The reports will be handed in regularly during the first part of the course. Also a project proposal must be submitted online to get feedback from other students. 

Part 2. The second part of the course is to work on a group project with supervision. The project should use several of the techniques learnt in the course. The group project report (small written report describing the prototype + documentation and design files) will be handed-in. Students should bring the physical artefact to the oral exam and use this as support for the oral presentation. It is essential that you follow both lectures and lab exercises in order to come along with mandatory activities and project.


Mandatory activities

There are 8 mandatory activities throughout the course. Students must hand in 7 small reports describing the works carried out during each mandatory activity. Each mandatory activity is an activity with several sub-tasks and students hand in a report and some files. They have to hand in 7 mandatory activities, one each week for the first 7 weeks. The last mandatory activity is a presentation describing the final project that students plan to develop in the second part of the course. This presentation should be handed in as a video or presented in class. 

Depending on the assignment, the mandatory assignments will be handed-in in learnIT or through a peer-grading system. If the assignment is handed-in in a peer-grading system, it is mandatory that the student gives peer-feedback at a satisfactory level. The TAs will review the mandatory activities and also give feedback. The mandatory activities will be assessed by the teacher as either approved or not approved.

The deadline will be announced at LearnIT. Students must submit the MAs and give feedback on time at least for 5 MAs. If any of the mandatory activities is not approved, students have two weeks to re-submit.

The student will receive the grade NA (not approved) at the ordinary exam, if the mandatory activities are not approved and the student will use an exam attempt.

Course literature

The course literature is published in the course page in LearnIT.

Student Activity Budget
Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student
  • Preparation for lectures and exercises: 10%
  • Lectures: 10%
  • Exercises: 10%
  • Assignments: 25%
  • Project work, supervision included: 40%
  • Exam with preparation: 5%
Ordinary exam
Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D2G: Submission for groups with following oral exam supplemented by the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.
Exam submission description:
D2G Submission for groups with following oral exam supplemented by the submission. Shared responsibility for the report., (7-scale, external exam)

The group project report consist of:
• a small written report describing the developed prototype
• documentation and design files.

Duration of the oral exam: 15 minutes group presentation followed by 25 minutes for each student (incl. voting).

Type of group exam: Mixed exam 1.
Group submission:
Group
  • Group size: 2-3 persons (4 persons can be permitted if the project is very ambitious)
Exam duration per student for the oral exam:
30 minutes
Group exam form:
Mixed exam 1 : Individual and joint student presentation followed by an individual and a group dialogue. The students make a joint presentation followed by a group dialogue. Subsequently the students are having individual examination with presentation and / or dialogue with the supervisor and external examiner while the rest of the group is outside the room.


reexam
Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D2G: Submission for groups with following oral exam supplemented by the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.
Group submission:
Group
  • Group size: 2-3 persons (4 persons can be permitted if the project is very ambitious)
Exam duration per student for the oral exam:
30 minutes
Group exam form:
Mixed exam 1 : Individual and joint student presentation followed by an individual and a group dialogue. The students make a joint presentation followed by a group dialogue. Subsequently the students are having individual examination with presentation and / or dialogue with the supervisor and external examiner while the rest of the group is outside the room.

Time and date
Ordinary Exam - submission Fri, 5 Jan 2024, 08:00 - 14:00
Ordinary Exam Thu, 18 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Fri, 19 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Mon, 22 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Tue, 23 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Reexam - submission Wed, 28 Feb 2024, 08:00 - 14:00
Reexam Tue, 12 Mar 2024, 09:00 - 12:00