Whether to cast,weld or bolt - Learning design for manufacturing through a graduation project

Engineering Design of a product identifies a set of functions derived from a societal need and defines connected structures which as a whole deliver those functions. In this process it blends theory and design method into 'Design Approach' while technology, and working constraints form 'Design Realization'. Design for Manufacturing is the overlap of Design Approach and Design Realization which is characterised by (i) Design For Manufacture and Assembly considerations (ii) process considerations (iii) purpose of manufacturing (iv) available raw material forms and sizes and (v) other factors like work holding, available capability etc. For students getting ready to graduate, Design for Manufacturing is a new experience. This paper argues that Graduation Project provides a good opportunity for students to understand Design for Manufacturing. It considers the Graduation Project, designing and building a surgeon's operating table, by a group of four students from the UAE university, as a candidate to demonstrate this provision.