Engineering - Precision Engineering & Design - Sligo
Precision Engineering is a specialist branch of mechanical engineering which involves the design and manufacture of complex products, machines, tools and instruments whose parts must be precisely correct in size and shape, have exceptionally tight tolerances and be produced repeatedly to exact specifications.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Entry Requirements
This programme is available to specialise in the Common Entry engineering programmes Level 7 – AU830 BEng in Engineering and Level 6 – AU715 Higher Certificate in Engineering.
Students who choose AU830 BEng in Engineering and AU715 Higher Certificate in Engineering will study a variety of modules in Semester 1 and may choose to specialise in Precision Engineering and Design from Semester 2 onwards.
Careers / Further progression
Careers
Skill shortages have been identified in precision engineering, particularly for designers of precision products, tools and machines, with increased job opportunities for graduates possessing these skills. ATU Sligo has consulted widely with industry to develop this programme. Our graduates are in very high demand to meet the skills shortages nationally and internationally. Graduates gain employment in design, manufacturing, project management, CNC programming, metrology, validation and procurement roles in high-performance, advanced manufacturing and precision engineering companies.
Progression
Upon completing this three-year Level 7 ordinary degree, students have the option to join the Level 8 Mechanical Engineering programme (AU943) for Years 3 and 4 of that degree to obtain a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering.
After completing a Level 8 programme, we offer a wide range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies.
Progression
Upon completing this three-year Level 7 ordinary degree, students have the option to join the Level 8 Mechanical Engineering programme (AU943) for Years 3 and 4 of that degree to obtain a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. After completing a Level 8 programme, we offer a wide range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies.
Further information
Bursaries
ATU Sligo is delighted to have partnered with companies such as Abbott Nutrition, Avenue Mould Solutions (Nolato Group), Ophardt Hygiene Ireland, Prior PLM Medical and Ward Automation, which have awarded financial bursaries up to a value of €1,000 to BEng in Precision Engineering and Design students. The bursaries were provided to attract students to this specialist area of mechanical engineering to help combat the huge skill shortages in the industry. Bursaries continue to be offered regularly, information on which will be provided to students when they join ATU.
Course Overview
Precision Engineering is a specialist branch of mechanical engineering which involves the design and manufacture of complex products, machines, tools and instruments whose parts must be precisely correct in size and shape, have exceptionally tight tolerances and be produced repeatedly to exact specifications. These include machines and fixtures produced for the medical devices and aerospace industries. Precision Engineering is often defined as having an accuracy of 1×106 – that’s one millionth of a metre, or 1 micron.
The Precision Engineering programmes at ATU Sligo have been designed to meet 21st-century manufacturing requirements and to ensure that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills now needed in modern manufacturing companies.
This degree enables students to understand and apply the principles of mathematics, science, physics, and the various precision engineering technologies, as well as practising design processes and techniques.
Students acquire the specialist knowledge and skills needed to design and manufacture modern, high-tech engineering products, and to design and build the specialist equipment needed for their manufacture. Skill shortages have been identified in precision engineering and increased job opportunities have been predicted for engineers with these skills.
Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including comprehensive material and testing laboratories, industry standards software in CAD/CAM, automation equipment, traditional manufacturing workshops, and 3D printers as well as advanced CNC machines.
This Precision Engineering degree focuses on:
• Precision Design – product, mould, tool and machine design
• Computer Aided Manufacture – CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programming & machining
• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies – automation, polymer processing, materials
• Metrology – Precision measurement and CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine)
• Manufacturing Requirements – validation, quality management, lean manufacturing and project management
Design is a key activity on this programme and graduates acquire the skills needed for the design of precision products, such as medical devices, the design of precision tooling, such as plastic injection moulds and the design of automation equipment, such as assembly machinery.
Students also learn how to program and use computer numerical control (CNC) machines used to make precision components and precision measurement equipment such as coordinate measuring machines (CMM).
Advanced manufacturing techniques, automation, computer integrated manufacturing technologies and the use of polymer processing technologies used for plastic moulding are also addressed.
Year 1
Semester 1
Engineering Graphics and Computer Aided Design Mandatory
Introduction to Programming Mandatory
Engineering Physics Mandatory
Introduction to Engineering Mandatory
Mathematics 101 Mandatory
Engineering Mechanics 101 Mandatory
Semester 2
Design 102 Mandatory
Mechanical Project Mandatory
Electrical Principles Engineering Mandatory
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Mandatory
Introduction to Industrial Automation Mandatory
Mathematics 102 Mandatory
Year 2
Semester 1
CAD/CAM 201 Mandatory
CIM and Automation Technology 201 (Mechanical) Mandatory
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology 201 Mandatory
Design Engineering Project 201 Mandatory
Introduction to Engineering Materials Mandatory
Mechanics 2 Mandatory
Semester 2
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology 202 Mandatory
CAD/CAM 202 Mandatory
Design Engineering Project 202 Mandatory
Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics Introduction Mandatory
CIM and Automation Technology 202 (Mechanical) Mandatory
Year:
Mathematics 2 Mandatory
Year 3
Semester 1
Materials Testing & Metrology Mandatory
CIM & Robotics 300 Mandatory
Mechanics/Dynamics 301 Mandatory
Essential Lean Six Sigma and Validation Mandatory
Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM/CNC) 301 Mandatory
Computer Aided Design 301 Mandatory
Semester 2
Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM/CNC) 302 Mandatory
Mould Design and Polymer Processing Mandatory
Machine Design Mandatory
Year:
Mathematics 3 Mandatory
Integrated Project Mandatory
Admissions Office
T: +353 (0)71 931 8510
E: admissions.sligo@atu.ie