Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

Course objectives
1. To introduce the fundamentals of engineering mechanics, strength of materials, and engineering materials for mechanical system applications. 2. To develop an understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer principles in computing, data centre, and electric vehicle systems. 3. To familiarize students with machine elements and power transmission mechanisms used in modern mechanical and robotic systems. 4. To provide foundational knowledge of conventional and advanced manufacturing processes, including additive and CNC manufacturing. 5. To introduce mechatronics, actuators, robotics, drones, and Industry 4.0 concepts for emerging engineering applications.

Course content
Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials (Basics): Types of forces and their effects; concept of stress and strain; beams — types of loads (point load, UDL), engineering materials — metals, polymers, ceramics, composites (properties and uses). Applications: frame of a laptop/server rack, load on a tower antenna, material selection for a robot arm, chassis of an electric vehicle. Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Basics: System and surroundings; laws of thermodynamics; heat transfer — conduction, convection, radiation. Applications: cooling fan and heat sink in a computer processor, AC in a server room/data centre, EV battery thermal management. Machine Elements and Power Transmission: Fasteners — bolts, screws, keys (types and use); shafts and couplings — rigid and flexible; bearings — ball bearing and roller bearing; belts and chains. Applications: gear train in a robotic joint, belt drive in a 3D printer, ball bearings in drone motor. Manufacturing Processes: Casting, forming, machining (drilling, milling, grinding), joining — soldering, brazing; additive manufacturing — 3D printing, CNC machining concept. Applications: 3D-printed drone frame, cast aluminium heat sink, welded server rack. Mechatronics, Robotics, and Emerging Mechanical Systems: Introduction to mechatronics; actuators — DC motor, stepper motor, servo motor, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, introduction to robotics (Cartesian, SCARA, articulated), drones — airframe, propulsion, flight controller concept and Industry 4.0.