Systems Engineering

A system is a collection of parts joined together to perform a function or serve a specific purpose. In Systems Engineering, a system always has an input and an output, and serves a purpose.

Systems in Systems Engineering

Systems can be purely mechanical where the input is organic, such as an old water pump where the input is human effort. Other examples include water wheels and bicycles.

Systems can be purely electronic, such as motion detecting lights, where the input is an electrical signal, and the output is an electrical signal.

Systems can be a complex mixture of mechanical and electronic, such as rockets, cranes, cars, factories, robots, or even toasters.

There are many other types of systems, such as computer operating systems, society, the solar system, or ecosystems. We do not focus on these sorts of systems in Systems Engineering.

Sub-systems

Most systems are comprised of multiple sub-systems. A sub-system is a smaller system within a larger system. For example, a toaster has an electrical sub-system that converts electrical energy to heat energy to toast the bread, but also has a mechanical sub-system that allows the bread to be lowered and held in place between the heating elements, and popping up at the completion of the toasting process.

The Systems in Unit 1 and 2

Here is a sample video of previous mechanical designs from Systems Engineering at Mooroolbark College.

These videos are samples of electrotechnologic designs that could be created in Systems Engineering.