GET 204: Students’ Workshop Practice (2 Units C: LH 15: PH 45)

LECTURE DAYS/HOURS = TUESDAYS/1 - 3PM (Lecturers: Chukwu/Eze/Enyi/Beasi/Agwu)

Overview

This course introduces undergraduate students to workshop practices in mechanical, electrical,

and general engineering operations. It provides supervised hands-on experience in the safe use
of workshop tools, machines, measuring instruments, and engineering materials. Students are
exposed to practical manufacturing processes, machining operations, electrical and electronic
components, industrial safety principles, and energy conservation techniques.

The course combines theory with practical demonstrations and workshop exercises aimed at
developing technical competence, safety consciousness, and problem-solving abilities required in
engineering and technology professions.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has successfully gone through this course should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the use of measuring instruments of: Callipers, Micrometers, Gauges, Sine
bar, Planers, Saws, Sanders etc.

2. Carry out a simple Pattern Making exercise as a Foundry practice.

3. Visit a Machine shop and identify the following: Lathe machine, shaping, milling, grinding,
reaming, Metal spinning machines.

4. Explain a Simple theory of: Metal cutting, Tool action and Cutting forces.

5. Introduce the basic principle of the CNC machine.

6. Discuss: Metal joining processes of (Welding, Brazing and Soldering), Heat treatment,
Material Removal processes.

7. Identify Machine tools and its classification. Identify Hand tools of: Gas and Arc welding,
Arc cutting, Brazing and Soldering.

8. Discuss Industrial safety and Accident Prevention, Ergonomics, Metrology.

9. Explain the process of Casting as a workshop practice.

10. Discuss the Metal Forming processes of: Hot-working and Cold-working processes
(Forging, Press-tool work, Spinning, etc.).

11. Supervise the identification, use and care of various electrical and electronic components
such as: Resistors, Inductors, Capacitors, Diodes and Transistors.

12. Expose the learners to different electric circuits, wiring schemes, analogue and digital
electrical and electronic measurements.

13. Discuss Practical Energy conservation principles and use practical examples to explain
household and industrial energy consumption measurements.
Course Contents:

The course comprises general, mechanical and electrical components: supervised hands-on
experience in safe usage of tools and machines for selected tasks; Use of measuring instruments
(callipers, micrometres, gauges, sine bar, wood planers, saws, sanders, and pattern making).
Machine shop: lathe work shaping, milling, grinding, reaming, metal spinning. Hand tools, gas
and arc welding, cutting, brazing and soldering. Foundry practice. Industrial safety and accident
prevention, ergonomics, metrology. Casting processes. Metal forming processes: hot-working and
cold-working processes (forging, press-tool work, spinning, etc.). Metal joining processes
(welding, brazing and soldering). Heat treatment. Material removal processes. Machine tools and
classification. Simple theory of metal cutting. Tool action and cutting forces. Introduction to CNC
machines. Supervised identification, use and care of various electrical and electronic components
such as resistors, inductors, capacitors, diodes and transistors. Exposure to different electric
circuits, wiring schemes, analogue and digital electrical and electronic measurements. Household
and industrial energy consumption measurements. Practical energy conservation principles.

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO WORKSHOP PRACTICE

1.1 Meaning of Workshop Practice

Workshop practice refers to practical engineering activities carried out in workshops or

laboratories where students acquire hands-on skills in the use of tools, machines, and engineering
[Link] practice bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical
engineering applications.

1.2 Importance of Workshop Practice

Workshop practice is important to the students for the following reasons. It:

 Develops technical competence

 Encourages creativity and innovation

 Improves problem-solving ability

 Promotes safety consciousness

 Enhances employability skills

 Builds confidence in handling engineering equipment

1.3 Types of Engineering Workshops

Listed below are key types of engineering workshops. They could be others.

1. Mechanical workshop

2. Electrical workshop

3. Welding and fabrication workshop

4. Foundry workshop

5. Carpentry and pattern-making workshop

 6. Machine shop

7. Electronics laboratory

MODULE 2: INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION

2.1 Introduction to Industrial Safety

Industrial safety involves measures and procedures adopted to prevent accidents, injuries, and
hazards in the workshop environment.

2.2 Causes of Workshop Accidents

 Carelessness

 Improper handling of tools

 Poor housekeeping

 Lack of training

 Defective equipment

 Fatigue and stress

 Electrical faults

2.3 Safety Rules in the Workshop

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

2. Avoid loose clothing while operating machines.

3. Keep the workshop clean and organised.

4. Use the correct tool for each operation.

5. Switch off machines after use.

6. Report faulty tools and machines immediately.

7. Do not operate machines without supervision.

8. Observe electrical safety precautions.

2.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) include the ones listed below. Can you think of others?

1. Safety goggles

2. Hand gloves

3. Safety boots

4. Ear protection
5. Nose masks

6. Overalls

7. Welding shields

2.5 Fire Safety

Fire can be classified into different types as indicated below. Fires, no matter the type can be
quenched using fire extinguishers.

Class Type of Fire

A Wood, paper, cloth

B Flammable liquids

C Electrical equipment

D Metals

K/F Cooking oils and fats

Fire Extinguishers

They are different types of fire extinguishers. They include:

 Water extinguisher

 Foam extinguisher

 Carbon dioxide extinguisher

 Dry powder extinguisher

2.6 Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces, tools, machines, products, and systems to
fit the capabilities and limitations of human beings. Ergonomics means “fitting the job to the
person” rather than forcing the person to fit the job. Its main goal is to improve comfort, safety,
efficiency, productivity, and health while reducing fatigue, stress, and injury.

Importance of Ergonomics

1. Improves worker safety

2. Reduces workplace injuries and fatigue

3. Increases productivity and efficiency

4. Enhances comfort and wellbeing

5. Improves human-machine interaction