Introduction

The aim of this assignment is to develop your engineering design skills using CAD software. It is worth 80% of the overall module mark.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of undertaking this assignment you should be able to:

•    Use creativity to produce innivative designs

•    Manage the design process from idea to CAD design

•    Use CAD softwares to design engineering components

•    Prepare a general arrangement drawing

•    Prepare a detailed component drawing

•    Apply sustainability principles in product design

•    Communicate design intent through technical documentation

Design Brief

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

The solar garden light is a widely used product that promotes clean energy in residential and public spaces. This project enables you to explore how design can improve energy efficiency, durability, and accessibility.

Design Task – Redesign the casing and mounting system of a solar garden light to improve:

•    durability in outdoor environments.

•    ease of assembly and maintenance.

•    Aesthetic appeal while maintaining functionality.

The main core components listed below must be retained in your designs:

•    Solar Panel

•    LED Light

•    Battery Compartment

•    Mounting Mechanism

Optional advanced design elements

For students with more advanced CAD skills or interest in Robotics, AI or Computer Engineering, the following optional features may be included:

1.   Solar Irradiance Tracker

o Use LDRs (Light Dependent Resistors) and a basic linkage mechanism to allow the solar panel to orient toward maximum sunlight. This can be modeled as a simple black-box or a detailed mechanical system depending on your capability.

2.   Computer Vision-Aided Maintenance Component

Design a camera module with optional wiper or cleaning mechanism to simulate inspection and maintenance features.

An example design along with a datasheet can be found here:

https://industriallightingfixtures.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/bst-datasheet-50w-3000lm-2y.pdf

You are required to produce a full design so that the volumetric dimensions as outlined below: Circular Main Compartment – 500 mm diameter x 200 mm (height) x 80 mm (mounting hole diameter).

Non-circular main compartment - Surface perimeter not more than 1500 mm × 200 mm (height) × 80 mm (mounting hole diameter).

You are free to choose dimensions of all the other parts. You can also change the shape of the main compartment as you wish. You will need to specify appropriate materials.

Click the link below for more information about solar garden lights and the internal components

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH4zTmrdc1o

Submission details

Only the following should be submitted:

•     A title page containing student’s details such as name, student ID and programme registered on.

•     1 page hand sketch of three concept designs with short explanations (50 words each) CAD Submissions:

•     an engineering drawing of the assembly in 3rd angle projection which  includes all essential parts (1-page A4 maximum)

•     an engineering drawing of the assembly in isometric projection which includes all essential parts (1-page A4 maximum)

•     an engineering drawing of the assembly showing a sectional view of the internal components (1-page A4 maximum)

•     a detailed component view of the casing, in 3rd angle projection, (1-page A4 maximum) showing all dimensions and details required for manufacturing.

•     1 page Sustainability statement (150 words maximum) explaining how the design supports clean energy use, material choices and their environmental impact and how the design features enhance product longevity and recyclability.

Therefore, the submission should consist of 7 sheets of A4 only.

The assignment should be submitted electronically through Canvas as a single PDF file.  The deadline for submission is 12:00 pm (noon) on Monday 15 December 2025. Any work submitted late will receive a penalty of 5% per working day.