This module will provide students with a solid foundation in statistics and probability relevant to a manufacturing engineer. The module will develop the students' ability to analyse, solve and understand problems using relevant data in various applications in Manufacturing Engineering.

1. Implement suitable analytic procedures in problems involving discrete and continuous random variables and probability distributions.

2. Performstatistical analysis by hand and with appropriate software and interpret the results.

3. Identify, formulate and solve applied problems using relevant industry based data sets.

4. Communicate their knowledge of statistics and probability both orally and in writing.

This module focuses on the fundamentals of engineering metrology and its applications to manufacturing measurements.This module integrates the concepts, principles and techniques of mechanical measurement with the use of measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and automated measurement systems.

1. Explain the concepts of metrology and use the language and systems of measurement.

2. Explain the basic features of measurement, gauging, and tolerances.

3. Apply the process of measurement with various measuring devices.

4. Explain of the purpose of critical dimensions in manufacturing and apply inspection, gauging and checking systems.

5. Analyse parts for dimensional and tolerance accuracy and functionality..

This module introduces pneumatic and electro-pneumatic technologies used to control machines. The student will analyse basic pneumatic/hydraulic manufacturing applications and develop automated solutions using Programmable Logic Control (PLC) technology. PLC ladder logic programmes will be designed, developed and tested in accordance with industrial safety standards.

1. Outline the working principles of electro-pneumatic components

2. Describe the components of pneumatic and hydraulics actuation.

3. Simulate basic and multi-actuator pneumatic and electro-pneumatic circuits.
4. Specify, size and select suitable pneumatic components for industrial applications
5. Construct ladder logic programmes using Boolean Logic, IOs, timers, counters, sequencing
6. Design and test PLC programs

7. Identify andimplementsafety measures in the design of automated systems

Manufacturing Engineering 2 develops the ability of learners to practically apply manufacturing engineering methodologies through the correct identification, selection and use of manufacturing processes. In particular, it develops the CNC programming skills of learners. It gives learners a broad experience of both the theoretical and practical elements of Manufacturing for industry.

1. Explain the basic physical, mechanical properties of engineering materials and main testing techniques used in industry.

2. Describe sustainable manufacturing processes and technologies appropriate to a range of applications

3. Generate/Write a CNC Programme for 2 Axis Turning and 3 Axis Milling using a simulator/CAM software

4. Analyse and interpret CNC programforbasic CNC turning and milling operations

5. Demonstrate practical application of manufacturing engineering methodologies through the correct identification, selection and use of manufacturing processes using laboratory equipment or workshop machinery.

Industry Module 2 is the "on the job learning" module, where supported learning takes place in the apprentice's company.

1. Select the appropriate tools, methodologies and techniques to solve manufacturing problems, and design and implement solutions.
2. Analyse, measure performance and continuously improve manufacturing processes with innovative technical solutions.
3. Communicate findings to teams and management, and work effectively as a team member.
4. Describe and communicate how the regulatory constraints affect the operations of the company, and how ethical considerations affect their conduct as a technician.
5. Apply management skills within their occupation as a technician.
6. Reflect on their experiential learning, and their ability to solve problems using a structured technical approach, and identify gaps.

This module develops the learner's skills in fixture design in support of manufacturing, taking into account operational considerations, maintenance and repair and design for manufacturability. Learners will perform three-dimensional (3D) Computer Aided Design (CAD) modelling, and construct solid models relating to parts and assemblies.

1. Explain the fundamentals of part orientation and principles of workholding.
2. Describe the design of systems for part orientation & holding
3. Select the relevant method of actuation of fixturing systems
4. Describe specific fixturing system types
5. Use CAD to design and implement a fixture related project

This module provides a solid understanding of the concepts, processes, and legislation for Risk Assessment, Risk Management, and Health and Safety Management. The module develops the student's ability to identify and select maintenance practices that are appropriate for real workplace scenarios and distinguish their respective impacts on system reliability.

1. Recognise the risks and hazards associated with machinery, equipment and workplaces, identify control measures necessary for Health and Safety management, and prepare relevant safety documentation

2. Analyse and compare different Maintenance Management strategies such as breakdown, planned and preventive maintenance techniques and apply them to appropriate workplace situations.

3. Illustrate the reasons for and benefits of maintenance systems such as TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) and RCM (Reliability Centred Maintenance) in a workplace environment

4. Develop an implementation plan for anew workplace maintenance system and schedule and appraise a maintenance system currently in place

5. Assess equipment effectivenss, maintenance economics, work scheduling and reliability, and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the purpose of quality management systems, and of the relationship between the different ISO quality standards. Learners will appreciate the impact that Risk Assessment has on the decision-making process for manufacturing firms. The module also introduces Process Validation, and Corrective and Preventive Action.

1. Describe the purpose of a quality management system and explain the 8 principles of quality management.
2. Explain the purpose, content and interrelationship of quality management standards ISO9000, ISO13485, auditing and assessment standards ISO9004, ISO19011 and sustainability standards ISO14000, ISO15001 and ISO2600.

3. Explain Risk Management, how to identify and quantify risks, decide on the acceptability of those risks and re-evaluate risks following corrective actions. Explain the impact that ISO14971 Risk Management has on the decision-making process in the medical device industry.

4. Apply various risk assessment methodologies such as FMECA, Fault Tree Analysis and HAZOP.

5. Explain the context of Process Validation within the quality management system and describe the steps needed to conduct a Process Validation.
6. Identify and distinguish between a correction, corrective action and preventive action and identify a process to implement corrective/preventive actions.

This module gives an introduction to Lean Engineering Concepts and Tools (including Lean Manufacturing and Lean Services), and to the Principles of Change Management. Lean manufacturing, originally developed by Toyota, is widely practiced in Irish industry and is vital for its continued competitiveness.

1. Explain the principles of lean engineering and change management and their applicability to manufacturing, services and to the interaction with customers.
2. Perform data analysis in MS Excel to solve Lean Engineering problems.
3. Review and comment on lean case studies
4. Perform lean manufacturing analysis (Value Stream mapping, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Takt Time Calculation, Process Throughput measurement, 5S) to identify areas for improvement, and solve problems
5. Evaluate problems and select optimisation solutions appropriately, in order to ensure that an ethical engineering approach, including addressing the impact on society and sustainability,is taken.

This module develops the learner's knowledge and skills in sensors, control theory and industrial robotics. Students gain an understanding of the application of electrical, electronic and mechanical sensors and actuators. This module introduces control in the engineering context and studies mechanical, electrical and fluid systems. Students are introduced to r obot anatomy, maintenance and safety and programming, materials handling and vision systems.

1. Describe the principle of operation andcharacteristicsof sensors and actuators

2. Identify the components of data acquisition including signal conditioning and digital interfacing.

3. Use appropriate technologies and software programming packages to measure, analyse and control systems
4. Analyse control concepts including open loop, closed loop, relays, motor control, sequential control, process control, PID control.
5. Identifythe environments in which control systems operate and calculate thesteady-state error, stability and speed of response of the system.

6. Investigate robotic capability, technology and anatomy
7. Develop and execute robotic simulation programmes; and practical training using 5 and/or 6 axis robots.

The module exposes the learner to modern manufacturing processes and techniques with special emphasis on non-traditional practices. It also incorporates the practical use of CAD/CAM and Mould & Cavity software to generate machine code. This module focuses on Modern Industrial Practices that can aid the learner in their Industry.

1. Explain the basic elements of modern advanced manufacturing techniques and production processes and explain the benefits of innovated technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), interoperability, information transparency, and decentralized decisions for Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

2. Summarise the principles of traditional manufacturing processes.

3. Summarise the principles of non-traditional manufacturing processes.

4. Use CAM software in the generation ofG and M codes for the manufacture of components on CNC machine tools, in line with Sustainable Engineering best practices.

5. Apply principle(s) of Advanced Manufacturing Processes to an Industrial Application.

The Polymer Processing Module focusses on the materials, processes and tooling used in relation to polymers, particularly analysis of the polymer flow processes involved in injection moulding and extrusion. The practical aspect supports the design and manufacture of the tooling used in these processes.

1. Explain relevant techniques to manufacture plastic parts, in a Sustainable world.

2. Explain the fundamentals of the synthesis of plastic materials

3. Explain polymer melts rheology and its effect on polymer processing parameters.

4. Use mould cavity software to generate,design and optimise Moulds.

5. Useappropriate software to analyse flow and other parameters of the mould.

The module delivers the essentials of programming/coding skills to automate and visualize data analysis problems appropriate to the needs of the engineer in manufacturing or related industry.

1. Describe the core concepts of computer programming.

2. Writeprogrammes/codes, incorporating core programming conceptssuch assequential, conditional, iterative and control structures

3. Design an effective event-based software application incorporating spreadsheets to address basic engineering and production requirements.

4. Construct the designed software application using a commercial application development environment.

5. Roll out the constructed application, including performing Test, Debug and Demonstration activities.

Industry Module 3 is the "on the job learning" module, where supported learning takes place in the apprentice's company.

1. Lead technical projects and design and implement technical solutions under quality systems and procedures.
2. Participate in process planning according to company quality policies and system.
3. Investigate, analyse, evaluate and report on the performance of a process plan.
4. Undertake a six sigma project and communicate the findings to staff and management.
5. Apply management skills within their occupation as an engineer and describe their ethicial obligations as an engineer.
6. Reflect on their experiential learning and their ability to solve problems using an engineering approach, identify gaps and devise self-learning strategies.

The aims of this module are to help the students develop an understanding of the underlying knowledge and related methods of Process Planning and Computer Aided Process Planning, and to equip the students with the skills required in carrying out the process planning (PP) function.

1. Describe the process planning functions, the role of process planning in manufacturing, the characteristics of traditional and Computer
Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems, the structure of typical CAPP systems and Group Technology (GT).

2. Implement Manual Process Planning system in consideration of process planning criteria, and industrial considerations.

3. Implement Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems in consideration of process planning criteria, and industrial considerations

4. Identify relevant principles of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), philosophy, implementation and functionality, assembly systems and costing

5. Identify issues relevant to green manufacturing, design for environment and recycling, part life cycle assessment, sustainability.

An introduction to Six Sigma, which will both explain the concepts and involve using the tools and techniques of Six Sigma.

1. Explainthe Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control steps in Six Sigma.

2. Use ‘Define’ phase tools to decide on the process improvement of a Six Sigma project
3. Determine the current performance using a variety of ‘Measure’ tools
4. Use the ‘Analyse’ tools, including inferential statistics to determine the issues to be addressed.
5. Apply the ‘Improve’ tools, to develop and assess the process optimisation.
6. ‘Control’ the process to verify the variances are corrected, select appropriate statistical process control (SPC) techniques.

This module provide an introduction to key principles, strategies, models and techniques used by organisations in the management of their operations.

1. Identify the legal structures of organisations,role, tools and impact of Operations Management, asorganisations transition to Industry 4.0 and 5.0, within the context of emerging technology trends, such as Big data, GIS (Geographical Information Systems), Cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things)and blockchains.

2. Apply the stage gate process and engineering tools to Product, Process and Facility design.
3. Use an Enterprise Resource Planning system to perform capacity planning, inventory management and materials requirements planning applying the techniques used in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

4. Solve basic operations’ improvement problems of capacity, flow design andjob design taking budgetary concernsand commercial principlesinto consideration.

5. Compare and contrast appropriate strategies and competitive behaviour for sustainable organisations.Factors to include environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

This module teaches students how to professionally plan and manage complex projects for industry using standard approaches. The student learn through in class projects how to use industry standard software tools to support this work.

1. Articulate and explain structured approaches to project planning and management.

2. Apply the principles, methodologies , tools and techniques of project management, including associated financial analysis.

3. Use Project management software to assist in planning and managing projects.

4. Define, plan and manage team-based projects

5. Communicate effectively throughout the project lifecycle, including all necessary reports and presentations required in project planning and management in a real work environment