Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.1 – What is Engineering Design?

1. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.1 – What is Engineering Design? • In order to create and build things, engineers must be involved in a design process • ABET definition of design: • “…the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

2. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process 10 Stage Design Process: Identify the problem / product innovation Define the working criteria / goals Research and gather data Brainstorm / Generate creative ideas Analyze potential solutions Develop and test models Make the decision Communicate and specify Implement and commercialize Perform post-implementation review / assessment

3. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 1: Identify the problem / product innovation • It is critical to establish the actual problem clearly • Less likely to be an issue in an academic setting, where the professor provides structure • In industry settings, very important to clarify what the problem is before attempting to solve it

4. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 2: Define the working criteria / goals Examples of working criteria include: How much will it cost? Will it be difficult to produce? What will be the size, weight, strength? What will it look like? Will it be easy to use? Will it be safe to use? Are there any legal concerns? Will it be reliable and durable? And more

5. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process • Stage 3: Research and Gather Data • Having good, reliable background information is necessary for the team to begin exploring all relevant aspects of the problem • Team members must determine • What types of information will be needed • The best sources of that information

6. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 3: Research and Gather Data Examples of research/data gathering include: What information has been published about the problem? Is there a solution to the problem that may already be available? If there is an available solution, who is providing it? What are the advantages / disadvantages of their solution? What is the cost? Is cost a significant issue? What is the ratio of time spent compared to overall costs? And more

7. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 4: Brainstorm / generate creative ideas Brainstorming: to creatively develop as many potential solutions to a problem as possible • Every idea that is spontaneously contributed from the group is recorded • No preliminary judgments are made about any member’s idea, no matter wild that idea may be • Goal: to develop a long list of possible alternative solutions to the problem at hand.

8. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 5: Analyze Potential Solutions Once brainstorming ideas have been narrowed, further narrowing to a few ideas can be accomplished by: • Examining the list and eliminating duplicates • Allow the group to ask clarifying questions • Ask the group to evaluate the ideas.

9. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 5: Analyze Potential Solutions Forms of analyzing potential solutions include: • Common Sense • Economic Analysis • Analysis using basic engineering principles and laws • Estimation • Analysis of compatibility • Computer Analysis techniques • Conservative Assumptions

10. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 6: Develop and Test Models Brainstorming and further Analysis have narrowed options to just a few. The remaining options will now be developed and tested. Models used by engineers to develop and test include: • Mathematical models • Computer models • Scale models • Diagrams or graphs

11. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 6: Develop and Test Models Testing Prototypes will help determine: • Durability • Ease of assembly • Reliability • Strength • Environmental • Quality consistency • Safety • Consistency of testing

12. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 7: Make the Decision Team members must establish a means to compare and evaluate the results from the testing stage Common Method Used to Make the Decision: Decision Table • Helps members to visualize the merits of each option) • Decision Table Columns include (a) Working Criteria, (b) Weighted Point Totals, (c) Individual Point Totals

13. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 8: Communicate and Specify • Before manufacture of a part/ product/ structure, there must be thorough communication, reporting and specification of all aspects of that item Types of communication include: • Written Reports • Summaries of technical presentations • Diagrams • Drawings / Sketches • Computer Printouts • Charts • Graphs

14. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 9: Implement and Commercialize • Next-to-last stage of the design process • Final Opportunity for revision (or termination) of project Project manager, team leaders and the following key individuals are involved in this step: • Management / Key Supervisory Personnel • Technical Representatives • Business Representatives • Attorneys / Legal Support Staff

15. Chapter 13: Engineering Design Section 13.2 – The Design Process Stage 10: Perform Post-Implementation Review and Assessment At this stage, project is assumed to be in full production This stage involves the termination of the design project team (since the product is now part of the company’s overall product line). Product’s performance is reviewed, an assessment report is prepared, and future suggestions provided