The Engineering Design Process Ch 3 – Pt 1

The Nature of Design When you design something, you work out or create its form or structure in a skillful and creative way. You determine what the product looks like (its form) and how it works (its function). A product’s final form is often determined by it’s function.

Thinking Like an Engineer Critical thinking is usually abstract thinking. Analysis is the act of breaking a subject into parts so that it can be understood better. Synthesis is the act of putting things together to form a new idea or product. Evaluation is the act of judging the final results based on specific criteria.

Considering Human Factors Human factors engineering is the design of equipment and environments to promote human health, safety, and well-being Ergonomics design machines and machine systems that fit the way humans move and think the way we use equipment

Keeping the Customer in Mind Almost every product will be used by a customer. The design must satisfy the customer if it is going to be successful. Basic requirements are those that the customer expects of any product in its category.

The Engineering Design Process Ch3 – Pt2

A design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve or satisfy human needs or wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice. – ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy

The 10 Steps in Engineering Design Technological designs often begin as a need that must be met or a problem to be solved. The process that engineers use to fulfill a need or solve a problem can be described in 10 steps that address specific technology factors. Cost, safety, reliability, positive and negative impacts, and ethical considerations.

Step 1: Define the Problem Putting the problem into words helps clarify it and may suggest a possible solution. Defining exactly which problem to work on avoids wasting time, money, and effort. Receive a problem to solve from the client.

Step 2: Brainstorm, Research, and Generate Ideas Brainstorming occurs when two or more people try to think of as many possible solutions to a problem as they can. Present ideas in an open forum. Generate and record ideas. Develop preliminary ideas. Research solutions that may already exist; identify shortcomings and reasons why they aren’t appropriate to a given situation.

Step 3: Identify Criteria and Specify Constraints Criteria are standards that a solution must meet in order to be accepted. Constraints are restrictions on a solution. Identify what the solution should do and the degree to which the solution will be pursued.

Step 4: Develop and Propose Designs and Choose Among Alternative Solutions Consider further development of brainstorming ideas. Explore alternative ideas. Compromise to meet criteria and constraints. Decide on final idea, usually through group consensus.

Step 5: Implement the Proposed Solution Explore the idea in greater detail with annotated sketches. Make critical decisions such as material types and manufacturing methods. Generate through computer models detailed sketches to further refine the idea. Produce working drawings so the idea can be built.

Step 6: Make a Model or Prototype Make models to help communicate the idea, and study aspects such as shape, form, fit, or texture. Construct a prototype from the working drawings, so the solution can be tested.

Step 7: Evaluate the Solution and its Consequences During evaluation the design is judged. Design experiments and test the prototype. Analyze and check results against established criteria. Identify shortcomings and establish any need for redesign work.

Step 8: Refine the Design Make design changes; modify or rebuild the prototype. Update documentation to reflect changes.

Step 9: Create the Final Design Approval of plans Construction/fabrication Determine custom/mass production. Consider packaging.

Step 10: Communicate the Processes and Results Most final designs are communicated using drawings, specifications, and computer models. Market the Product. Distribute.

Other Design Processes The Problem-Solving Process State the problem clearly Collect information Develop possible solutions Select the best solution Implement the solution A simulation imitates as closely as possible the real-life circumstances in which the solution is to be used. Evaluate the solution

Other Design Processes The Scientific Method Make an observation Collect information Form a hypothesis Perform an experiment to test the hypothesis Analyze the results Repeat the process to make sure the results are consistent

Quick Review Q - What is form? A – What the product looks like. Q – What is function? A – How a product works Q – What is critical thinking? A – Abstract thinking Q – What is analysis? A – Breaking a subject into parts to better understand it

Quick Review Q – What is synthesis? A – Putting things together to form a new idea or product Q – What is evaluation? A – Judging the final results based on criteria

Quick Review Q – What is another word for human factors engineering? A – Ergonomics Q - Why is it important to keep the customer in mind when designing a product? A – Customer is using the product, needs to satisfy customer to be successful

Quick Review Q – Step 1 of the Design Process is Define the Problem. Why is this step so important? A – Putting the problem into words helps clarify it and may suggest a possible solution. Q –What is brainstorming? A - Brainstorming occurs when two or more people try to think of as many possible solutions to a problem as they can.

Quick Review Q – What are criteria and constraints? A - Criteria are the standards that a solution must meet in order to be accepted. Constraints are restrictions on a solution. Q – What is the difference between a model and a prototype? A – A model shows the idea, a prototype is a working model that can be tested.

Utilizing the Engineering Design Process An individual activity…

Activity Paper airplane design challenge Group 1 Group 2 Design, model, and test a paper airplane that will fly the farthest distance Group 2 Design, model, and test a paper airplane the will stay aloft the longest.

Engineering Design Process Define the problem Brainstorm, research, and generate ideas Identify criteria and specify constraints Develop and propose designs and choose among alternative solutions Implement the proposed solution Make a model or prototype Evaluate the solution and its consequences Refine the design Create the final design Communicate the processes and results