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Precision engineering involves work at the forefront of current technology. Present advanced technology products of importance in the international marketplace are dependent on high precision manufacturing processes, machines, control technologies and even nanotechnology. The achievement of ultra-high precision in the manufacture of extremely small devices opens the prospects in several diverse and futuristic fields such as massive computing power, medical devices in blood stream, global personal communication devices and high- resolution optical devices.
Precision engineering is cross-disciplinary, dealing with metrology, materials, machining processes, machine tool design, microsensors and actuators, manufacture of integrated circuits and mass storage devices, novel manufacturing methods, applications in medicine and many other relevant fields. The development of new high quality products depends on the challenge of high precision.
Precision engineering has been identified by the Economic Development Board, National Science and Technology Board and other key government agencies as one of the new and enhanced capabilities, which will be critical to developing Singapore's manufacturing industries in the future. Precision engineering is fundamental to our disc drive, automation, precision machinery and equipment manufacturing businesses.
This programme is specially designed for mechanical and manufacturing engineers, designers, research and development engineers, instructors at tertiary institutions, and other related professionals in industry to acquire an in-depth knowledge in precision engineering and other related topics.
This programme is conducted on a semester basis. Candidates are now offered with 2 Options of Study:
Option 1 : Coursework and Dissertation
Candidates are required to complete 8 subjects, with a combination of 4 core subjects and 4 electives, and submit a dissertation on a project.
Option 2: Coursework only
Candidates are required to complete 10 subjects, with a combination of 4 core subjects, 5 electives, and a compulsory subject entitled ‘ Independent Research' .
Each subject is covered in 39 hours and usually consists of 13 lectures of 3 hours each. Classes are usually held in the evenings on week days. Examinations are held during office-hours at the end of each semester.
The programme of study can be completed within a minimum of 1 year for full-time students and 2 years for part-time students and a maximum of 2 years for full-time students and 4 years for part-time student.
1) Core Subjects
M6102 Advanced Materials Engineering
M6301 Advanced Metrology & Sensing Systems
M6303 Fundamentals of Precision Engineering
M6304 Ultraprecision & Micromachining Processes
2) Electives
In addition to the 4 core subjects, a candidate is required to take 4 elective subjects of which at least 3 of the subjects must be selected from Elective Module A:
Elective Module A
M6141 Quality Engineering
M6321 Precision Mechanism Design
M6325 Advanced Electronic Packaging
M6327 Topic of Special Interest
M6328 Optical Engineering
M6329 Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
Elective Module B
M6802 Engineering Measurements
M6221 Networking & Databases
M6225 Concurrent Engineering
M6226 Virtual Design & Manufacturing
The candidate may, with the approval of the Dean of the School of Mechanical and Production Engineering, take as elective subject one subject from the other M.Sc. programmes offered by the School.
3) Compulsory Subject for Option 2 of Study:
M6388 Independent Research
Note: Curriculum is subject to changes. Not all electives will be offered at the same time.
M6102
ADVANCED MATERIALS ENGINEERING |
Metallic materials and composites: metallurgical fundamentals and fracture, copper, stainless steels, advanced composite materials, heat resistant superalloys. Selection and service performance of materials: materials selection in design, materials testing, failure of engineering materials. Polymeric materials: polymer synthesis and classification, engineering polymers, polymer blends, liquid crystalline polymers. Ceramic materials: functional ceramics, optical ceramics, magnetic ceramics, colossal magneto-resistant ceramics, case studies. Superconductors. |
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M6141
QUALITY ENGINEERING |
Quality concept, statistical process control, process improvement, experimental design, product liability, quality management systems and design. Case studies and examples of industrial applications will be used throughout the course. The course develops an appreciation of advanced quality engineering techniques and a perception of how quality can be built into all stages of a product life cycle and throughout an industrial enterprise. |
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M6802
ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS |
Advanced principles of measurement which examine the static and dynamic characteristics of instruments. The design of measurement system through the application of sensing and signal conditioning elements for data acquisition. Overview of the operations of some specialized measurement systems which have important industrial applications. |
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M6221
NETWORKING & DATABASES |
Overview. Network Design. ISO/OSI Reference Model. Manufacturing Data Communication. Networks in a Manufacturing Environment. Databases. Relational Databases. Object-Oriented Databases Systems. EDI. The Internet, Intranet and Extranet. |
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M6225
CONCURRENT ENGINEERING |
Concurrent Engineering Design Methodology: CE Design Process, Predictive Engineering. Concurrent Engineering Technology: Product Information Management, Product and Process Knowledge Modelling. Concurrent Engineering Implementation: Design for Manufacture, Quantitative Analysis of Design for Assembly. Case Study. |
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M6226
VIRTUAL DESIGN & MANUFACTURING |
Overview. Fundamentals of Computer Graphics and Geometric Modelling. Computer-Aided Design. Computer-Aided Manufacturing. Rapid Prototyping. Design Communication: The Internet and Intranet in Manufacturing, HTML, VRML and Java Programming in CIM. |
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M6301
ADVANCED METROLOGY & SENSING SYSTEMS |
International standards, linear & geometric tolerances. Surface, mechanical and optical metrology. Pneumatic and hydraulic devices for measurement. Transducers for in-process & post-process measurements, piezo devices, signal handling & processing, computer-aided-metrology, residual stress measurement. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and electron probe micro analysis. |
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M6303
FUNDAMENTALS OF PRECISION ENGINEERING |
History of precision engineering. Principles and definitions of precision machine design. State-of-the art in research, prototyping and full production from ultra precision machining through micro-engineering, microelectronics and molecular manipulation. Application of displacement transducers to machines and instruments. Tolerance technology. |
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M6304
ULTRAPRECISION & MICROMACHINING PROCESSES |
Atomic structure, electrical and physical properties of atoms. Diamond turning, grinding and polishing. Effects of tooling, material and the environment on the surface characteristics of workpieces. Material removal using electron, photon, or ion beams. Molecular beam epitaxy, chemical and physical vapour deposition. Advanced sputtering and ion-implantation. Deposition techniques, process controls, and film characteristics. |
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M6321
PRECISION MECHANISM DESIGN |
Fundamental concepts in designing precision machinery; metrological instrumentation, ultra-precision motion generators, and precision assembly. Flexure mechanisms for precision engineering. Mechanics of contact, kinetic coupling, vibration isolation and material selection. Actuators and sensors to control mechanisms. Manufacturing of micron scale machinery and structures using non-conventional processes. Case studies on precision instruments. |
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M6325
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC PACKAGING |
Electrical design for electronic packaging; interconnect design and printed circuit board design, design of SMP. Material design and reliability; manufacture of ICs, IC package, and advanced substrates; ceramic packaging; thin film packaging. Surface mounting and advanced interconnections; surface mounting assembly; assembly techniques for array packages such as BGA and CSP; TAB, flip chip, wire bonding and MCM; Thermal management and reliability of electronic packages. |
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M6327
TOPIC OF SPECIAL INTEREST |
Subjects in special areas of precision engineering not covered in the above list may be conducted whenever available. |
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M6328
OPTICAL ENGINEERING |
Coherent optics: fundamentals, theory, fibre optics. Geometrical optics: paraxial optics, monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, computer evaluation of optical systems, spot diagrams, MTF. Light sources, detectors and imaging systems. Industrial laser applications and optical systems. Optical interferrometry: applications to precision measurement. Optical materials and precision manufacturing of optical components. |
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M6329
MICRO ELECTRO MECHANICAL SYSTEMS |
Development of MEMS. Definition of terminology, Operation modes, transducer and sensing theory. Basic design considerations, Choice of Damping factors, Management of Stiction, Design Rules, Design packages, Simulations, Optimisation. Review of basic fabrication processes. Introduction to advanced fabrication techniques. LIGA, electroplating. Micro-moulding, non-silicon substrates. Wafer bonding. Robotics. Vision systems. Wafer dicing and sawing. Chemical dicing. Packaging considerations, Damping, Dynamic Modal Evaluation, Reliability Assessment, Sensitivity, Bandwidth, Linearity, Cross-talk determination, temperature sensitivity. Assembly techniques including robotics. Open or closed loop operation. Force balanced sensors. Critical Damping, Minimising device limitations, CMOS control design. Case studies of commercial available devices as well as devices presently under development. |
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M6388
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH |
This a creative subject based on an issue, case study, problem or an area of interest related to the programme. The candidate is required to propose and undertake an independent supervised research on a topic of study subject to the agreement of the Programme Director. The candidate will have to demonstrate expertise in the topic of study, together with creativity, diligence and critical thinking in addressing the problems and issues on the topic. |
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