Engineering Problem Solving Method Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Think define the problem to be solved Plan how to solve the problem Do apply the solutions to the problem Share report to the client or boss the findings Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

A teacher has a set of books for their classes. The teacher needs to be able to easily move the books around the room. Use the simple engineering problem solving method to find a solution for the teacher problem. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Think books need to be contained and moved Plan put them in a box set on a rolling cart stack them on a shelf Do choose the best solution Share suggest that the books be placed on a rolling cart Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The solution to some problems may need more information and a longer method. The next slides describe the longer version of the engineering problem solving method. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Identifying the problem Gathering needed information Searching for creative solutions Overcoming obstacles to creative thinking Moving from ideas to preliminary design Evaluating and selecting a preferred solution Preparing reports, plans, and specifications Implementing the design Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The group will determine the problem. The boss or client should be questioned to understand the needs of the problem to be solved. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The Ford Motor Company in 1920s had a problem with large amounts of shipping crates made out of wood taking up too much space in the plant. It was common knowledge that wood was used for reinforcements in the bodies and floor of cars. Problem: There are too many crates for the space. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

List the types of information or material required to develop a satisfactory conclusion. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Wooden crates need to be disposed of. More room is needed in the factory. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Using the information and materials from the first two steps, brainstorm possible solutions. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Possible Solutions: paying to ship the crates back to Indonesia burning the crates throwing the crates away enlarging the factory repurposing the crates Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Explore every possible solution that is thought of during the brainstorming session. The best solution may be one that is out of the ordinary. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Shipping them back would cost too much. Throwing and/or burning the crates would be too wasteful. There is no room to enlarge the factory. The crates were too small for making the reinforcements. Could the crates be enlarged so that the wood in them could be used for making the bodies or floor of the cars? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Make a prototype of all the positive designs. This may be a computer simulation or a basic model. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The crates could be redesigned, enlarged and the wood could be placed in the car floor. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The prototypes should be judged to select the very best solution (if there is more than one good solution). Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The best solution was to increase the size of the crates shipped from Indonesia. The crates could then be disassembled and reused, thus solving two problems : what to do with the crates and also decreasing the amount of wood having to be purchased for the cars. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Select the best prototype and prepare the drawings, specifications and cost. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012 All rights reserved

The solution was then drawn up, and calculations made to redesign the crates. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Give the person your findings in drawings and specifications. The boss or client will be able to put the solution to work solving their problem. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

The solution to the problem will be easy once the engineering problem solving method is applied. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Some problems that might arise in a manufacturing setting are: a) flow of materials in a plant b) development of a fixture or holder for making a product c) materials control d) waste control e) product redesign Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Use the engineering problem solving basic method and matrix to solve the following problem: The lab needs to be cleaned at the end of the period. What ideas does the class have to solve the clean up of the lab? Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Think define the problem to be solved Plan how to solve the problem Do apply the solutions to the problem Share report to the client or boss the findings Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Problem Statement: ThinkPlanDoShare Solution A Solution B Solution C Solution D Matrix File Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Engineering Design/problem solving What is Engineering Problem Solving eps.html Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

“Problem Solving”“Problem Solving” PowerPoint Lecture From Ohio State University Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 8&p=Engineerg+problem+solving&fr=att- portal&u= neerg+problem+solving&d= &mkt =en-US&setlang=en- US&w=9c773b89,717e9514&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=907 nVijb0KxRt0luaUpvjg-- Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved