Engineering Design Process Selecting an idea – design and build Steps 3 and 4

Select and idea Step 3 This step in the design process takes all the ideas generated in step 2 and analyzes them for the best 2 or 3. This step should be done by a group of people who have knowledge of the problem and who can be objective in their idea analysis. In order to decide on the best ideas a design analysis should be performed. There are several that will need to be looked at. Functional analysis Product Safety and Liability Manufacturability/testability Economic and market analysis Industrial Design/Ergonomics Mechanical Strength analysis Regulatory Compliance Electrical/Electromagnetic

Design analysis systems FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS This analysis determines whether the given design solution will function the way it should based on the explanation that was given in step one. This analysis is fundamental to the evaluation of the success of all idea designs ERGONOMICS Ergonomics is the human factor in engineering. It is the study of how people interact with machines. Most products have work with people in some manner. An idea can be considered if the it fits the people who will be using it.

Design analysis systems PRODUCT SAFETY AND LIABILITY The primary consideration for safety in product design is to assure that use of the of the design does not cause injury to humans. Safety and product liability issues, however can also extend beyond human injury to include property damage and environmental damage. Safety must be designed into products. ECONOMIC AND MARKET ANALYSIS The net result or purpose of most engineering designs is to produce a product that generates a profit for the company. Every idea is analyzed for cost to develop VS potential sales and profit. Market analysis through surveys directed at target groups is a primary tool to determine sales potential.

Design analysis systems MECAHNICAL/STRENGTH ANALYSIS Ideas are looked to consider several things. “Will the device or structure support the maximum forces or loads placed on it” ; “how will the device or structure react to shock loads” and how will the device react to long term use. Much of this information is determined at this point through math and later through physical testing.

Prototype/model Build Step 4 Once an idea has been selected it goes to the drawing boards for detail design resulting in drawings and plans that can be used to build models and prototypes PROTOTYPES This step consisting of building the first fully operational production of the complete design solution. In the case of large expensive prototypes, scale models are built and used in the testing phases under scaled realistic conditions. Results from scale model testing help to identify problems before the functional prototype is built for continued testing. A final product is not released for manufacturing until the prototype performs in all testing situations CONCURRENT ENGINEERING It is during this process of building a prototype that small details, or even big ones are discovered that may have been missed in the paper design. Re-design occurs and the build continues. This process is called concurrent engineering meaning that idea implementation and design build is happening at the same time. This process continues through the entire process of development of the product. Even into the next versions or innovations.

Review What is step three of the design process? Select an idea What is happening in step 3 ? This step in the design process takes all the ideas generated in step 2 and analyzes them for the best 2 or 3. Who should be performing step 3? This step should be done by a group of people who have knowledge of the problem and who can be objective in their idea analysis.

Review Name 5 types of idea analysis Functional analysis Ergonomic analysis Mechanical/Strength analysis Product Safety and Liability Economic and Market analysis What is analyzed in the functional analysis The potential of the product to function according to problem criteria

Review What is analyzed in the Ergonomic analysis? The ability of the design idea to match the efficient use by the human body What is analyzed in the mechanical/strength analysis? The ability of the design idea to match the durability and strength demands created by loads and stresses What is analyzed in the product safety and liability analysis The ability of the design idea to meet all safety and requirements to protect humans and environment from injury and/or harm

Review What is a prototype? A prototype is a first of a kind functional version of the design idea. It is first built on paper in full detail and then fabricated piece by piece to create a testable version. Sometimes prototypes are built as scale models and tested in scale situations What is concurrent engineering? It is the process that allows for design flaws to be found and re-designed before testing begins to occur. In other words design engineering is happening at the same time that the prototype is being built.