HNC Manufacturing Engineering: Level 4 Higher National Certificate : YEAR 2 Enrolment

Our HNC includes:

• Face-to-face tutorials
• Flexible day delivery to minimise effect on employer
• Opportunities to develop workplace projects within employers

What you'll learn: Core Mandatory Units

Engineering Design

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes as an individual or part of a design team; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need. Among the topics included in this unit are: Gantt charts and critical path analysis, stakeholder requirements, market analysis, design process management, technical drawing, modelling and prototyping, manufacturability, sustainability and environmental impact, reliability, safety and risk analyses, and ergonomics. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to prepare an engineering design specification that satisfies stakeholders’ requirements, implement best practices when analysing and evaluating possible design solutions, prepare a written technical design report, and present their finalised design to a customer or audience.

Engineering Mathematics

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ skills in the mathematical principles and theories that underpin the engineering curriculum. Students will be introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within an engineering and manufacturing context. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to employ mathematical methods within a variety of contextualised examples, interpret data using statistical techniques, and use analytical and computational methods to evaluate and solve engineering and manufacturing sector problems.

Managing a Professional Engineering Project

This unit introduces students to the techniques and best practices required to successfully create and manage an engineering/manufacturing project designed to identify a solution to an engineering need. While carrying out this project students will consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions. Among the topics covered in this unit are: roles, responsibilities, and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to conceive, plan, develop, and execute a successful engineering project, and produce and present a project report outlining and reflecting on the outcomes of each of the project processes and stages. As a result, they will develop skills such as critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation, decision-making, information literacy, and information and communication technology, and skills in professional and confident self-presentation.

Production Engineering for Manufacture

This unit introduces students to the production process for key material types; the various types of machinery used to manufacture products and the different ways of organising production systems to optimise the production process; consideration of how to measure the effectiveness of a production system within the overall context of the manufacturing system; and an examination of how production engineering contributes to ensuring safe and reliable operation of manufacturing.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about the role and purpose of production engineering and its relationship with the other elements of a manufacturing system; most appropriate production processes and associated facility arrangements for manufacturing products of different material types; and designing a production system incorporating a number of different production processes. 

Quality and Process Improvement

This unit introduces students to the importance of quality assurance processes in a manufacturing or service environment and the principles and theories that underpin them. Topics included in this unit are: tools and techniques used to support quality control, attributes and variables, testing processes, costing modules, the importance of qualifying the costs related to quality, international standards for management (ISO 9000, 14000, 18000), European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), principles, tools and techniques of Total Quality Management (TQM) and implementation of Six Sigma.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to illustrate the processes and applications of statistical process, explain the quality control tools used to apply costing techniques, identify the standards expected in the engineering environment to improve efficiency and examine how the concept of Total Quality Management and continuous improvement underpins modern manufacturing and service environments.

What you'll learn: Manufacturing Units

Automation, Robotics and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

The aim of this unit is for students to investigate how Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and industrial robots can be programmed to successfully implement automated engineering solutions. Among the topics included in this unit are: PLC system operational characteristics, different types of programming languages, types of robots and cell safety features. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about programming PLCs and robotic manipulators to implement a set of activities, different types and uses of PLCs and robots available, writing PLC programs using a language of their choice, and program industrial robots with straightforward commands and safety factors.

Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM)

This unit introduces students to all the stages of the CAD/CAM process and to the process of modelling components using CAD software specifically suitable for transferring to CAM software. Among the topics included in this unit are: programming methods, component set-up, tooling, solid modelling, geometry manipulation, component drawing, importing solid model, manufacturing simulation, data transfer, CNC machine types, and inspections.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about the key principles of manufacturing using a CAD/CAM system; 3D solid models of a component suitable for transfer into a CAM system; CAM software to generate manufacturing simulations of a component; and designing a dimensionally accurate component on a CNC machine or AKM system using a CAD/CAM system.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is the term that has been adopted to describe the ‘fourth’ industrial revolution currently underway, at present, in the manufacturing and commercial sectors of our society. It is a revolution based on the integration of cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, Big data, 3D printing, advanced robotics, simulation, augmented reality, cloud computing and cyber security. Industry 4.0 is changing the way the world’s most successful companies produce the products that their global customers demand. For the engineering and manufacturing sector, this integration has been enabled by successfully combining high performance computing, the internet and the development of advanced manufacturing technologies and highly flexible and adaptive manufacturing processes.

The aim of this unit is to provide holistic understanding of industry 4.0 and current trends of the production, assembly and other key aspects modern manufacturing. Students are first introduced to the background and fundamental and historical concepts of the fourth industrial revolution and principles, technologies, and strategies driving it. Students will then explore cutting-edge technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) and artificial intelligence, and learn how these innovations are transforming traditional manufacturing processes and business models. Students are expected to reflect on successful case studies of transitioning to Industry 4.0 and communicate the industry 4.0 concepts, technologies, and implications.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to investigate and evaluate industrial revolutions along with the characteristics and real-world challenges. As potential managers, students will also be able to assess the transformation of supply chains, business models, and workforce dynamics in the context of Industry 4.0 and associated benefits.

Industrial Robots

Industrial robotics is the present and future of automated manufacturing and is an unstoppable reality. With the emergence of lighter, smarter and safer industrial robot models that are increasingly easy to interface, the demand has never been so high and is expected to grow year on year. Popular applications for industrial robots include welding, painting, assembly and materials handling. Modern industrial robots are now an integral part of cyber-physical mechatronic systems contributing to Industry 4.0 manufacturing. The aim of this unit is for students to investigate the range, operation and benefits of industrial robots within manufacturing applications. Among the topics included are industrial robot selection, and programming and safety protocols that anticipate future developments in industrial robot technology.

On successful completion of this unit students will have an understanding of the electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic operation of common industrial robots, how to select and program an industrial robot for a given requirement, taking account of safety considerations, and how to assess the economic future of robot technologies in manufacturing.

How you will be assessed

All units are internally assessed. Each unit within the qualification has specified pass assessment and grading criteria, in addition to this there are generic merit and distinction grading descriptors that describe performance over and above a pass grade. These allow grades of pass, merit or distinction to be awarded for all units.

Next steps

Level 5 HND in General Engineering 

Made up of one-to-one tutorials, flexible day delivery to minimise effect on employer and work-based projects.

Level 6/7 Engineering Degree Apprenticeships

UCLan’s range of Higher and Degree apprenticeships allow you to gain a degree whilst you continue to work 

Operations / Departmental Manager

Manages teams and/or projects, achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisation’s strategy

Completion of HNC Year 1 HNC Manufacturing Engineering - Level 4 Higher National Certificate required.