HARARE POLYTECHNIC
NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
DESIGN PROJECT FORMAT –DDT, PLANT, PRODUCTION
i. Title page
ii. Dedication
iii. Acknowledgements
iv. Abstract: Refers to the general summary of the project which gives the reader a
generalized project overview. The students should note that the abstract is not confined to
their particular project line of focus but it portrays the general scope of the area covered
by the project.
v. Glossary and tables of symbols
vi. Table of contents
1. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Chapter one describes the environment of the project. The following areas are alluded to:
1.1 Chapter introduction
1.2 Problem statement (problem identification)
1.3 Background of need( it encompasses the company brief background and the problem
background)
1.4 Justification of need( recognition of need and need requirement)
1.5 Project Aim ( It is a summation statement to the objectives of the project)
1.6 Objectives (They should be SMART)
1.7 Assumptions –If any.
1.8 Hypothesis (Theories) –If any.
1.9 De-Limitations (Project boundaries – Context)
2. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Chapter 2 forms the major referral platform of the project. Examiner appreciate that this
chapter is an overall compilation of the materials gathered from a variety of sources that
include books, journals, magazines, field research as well as the internet. So for all materials
contained in this chapter corresponding references should be furnished. Major authors
researches conducted in the area of ones project are placed in this chapter. The ability/
inability of the previous methods to address the problem should be underscored here.
Exploration of alternatives/ problem treatment by other researcher. At least five previews.
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3. CHAPTER 3: DESIGN SOLUTION, ANALYSIS & SYNTHESIS
Chapter three centers on the project methodology, which forms the framework of procedures
adopted by the researcher/ designer on all the stages alluded to within the project. (It should
be in a conceptual design format with regard to our engineering basis). This section clearly
outlines the analysis of all the possible solution at hand. A clear benchmark should be made
with particular attention being given to the strengths and weaknesses of each possible
solution. (All this solution should be taken from the chapter two of the project.) Chapter
Three is the main body of the project and contains the solution approach or method adopted
or developed and their efficacy to solve the problem
Design sketches/ synthesis
Design calculations/ analysis
Optimization/ standardization of calculated values
4. CHAPTER 4: DESIGN MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY & MAINTENANCE
Definition and sketches of mode of manufacture and assembly.
Selection of materials and maintenance schedule.
5. CHAPTER 5: PROJECT EVALUATION
Discussions of the results obtained and their utility to the company
Cost Benefit analysis
Cost of labour, materials, overheads etc
Testing of prototype.
6. CHAPTER 6: RECOMMENDATIONS, FURTHER WORK & CONCLUSIONS
The researcher/ designer should recommend ways that increase project viability.
Also future work that may enhance the scope of the project.
Conclusions of the project, without repeating the discussions or contents of other
sections
Need satisfaction
Notable experiences in coming up with the project.
Problems encountered and how they were solved.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/ REFERENCES
Harvard Referencing style should be adopted. For example (Timoshenko, 1999)
APPENDICES
Should be numbered sequentially and should be single “Theme”
Detailed problem data, secondary proofs/ algorithms etc
REQUIREMENTS
Recommended cover page
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For Chapter Heading Font size is 18, Leading Heading Font size is 16, and all the
corresponding sub –heading should have Font size of 14
Paragraph, 1.5 line spacing of text, Font size should be 12
The report should be justified on both margins.
No underlining of Headings.
All sketches/ diagrams to be generated using AUTO CAD. The main drawing should
be plotted on A2 drawing sheet ( No Free hand sketches)
Two original project write ups for submission.
MS-POWER POINT PRESENTATION, Extensive use of internet as source of
information
Tables/ data presentation, graphs etc, to be generated using MS Word or Excel
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Harare Polytechnic
A PROJECT REPORT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN
DESIGN AND DRAUGHTING TECHNOLOGY
In
THE DEPARTMENT MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Project Title
(E-mail Address :)
Student Name
Candidate Number: Level (ND: 2)
We accept this report as conforming to the required standard
SUPERVISOR…………………………………………………………………………………...
CO –SUPERVISOR ……………………………………………………………………………..
EXETERNAL EXAMINER……………………………………………………………………..
HARARE POLYTECHNIC
SUBMISSION DATE
Declaration
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In presenting this report in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a National Diploma at the
Harare Polytechnic, I agree that permission for extensive copying of this report for scholarly
purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is
understood that copying or publication of this report for financial gain shall not be allowed
without my written permission.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Harare Polytechnic
P. Box CY407
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Date: dd/mm/year
Signature…………………………….
MARKING CRITERIA
The more of the following your project write up has, the higher the mark it will attract
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Work of publishable standard;
Clearly defined aims and objectives
Clear statements of the requirements of any artifact you built.
Well reasoned explanations for design decisions made;
Perceptive analysis of the problem and its possible solutions;
Interesting conclusions;
Development of high quality artifacts;
Work that was challenging;
Good quality presentation.
The more the following your report has, the lower the mark it will attract
Errors of fact;
Vague aims and objectives;
Unexplained or ill-judged design decisions;
Little or no analysis, sorely descriptive
Trite conclusions
Misinterpretations of literature
Developments of poor quality artifacts
Work that facile;
Little evidence of work done by the student
Spelling mistakes, poor grammar and criteria can be found in the marking scheme.
More information on the marking process and criteria can be found in the marking scheme
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