Defining Design Goals and Design Requirements © 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.Engineering Design and Development

As we review current and past solution attempts to the problem we have identified; it is important to begin analyzing what the critical design goals and requirements will be in any solution attempted.

An Engineering Design Process - Research 1. Define and Justify a Problem Brainstorm possible project problems. Research and select a valid problem. Become an expert on the problem. Justify the problem through research. Academic Market Write a problem statement. Document and analyze prior solutions. Identify design requirements. Create a Project Proposal or Business Plan

What are Design Goals and Design Requirements? Design Goals and Design Requirements Fundamental Design Criteria – Addressed in almost all design. Specifications – What does it do? –Design Specification: Precise and explicit information about the requirements for a successful solution to a problem –Product (Technical) Specification: Explicit set of requirements that must be met in order for a product to operate as designed Features – What do end users want? Constraints – What are your limiting factors in the design? Parameter – What are the testable features in your design?

What are Design Goals and Design Requirements? Design Goals and Design Requirements Specifications - plural of spec·i·fi·ca·tion (Noun) 1.An act of describing or identifying something precisely or of stating a precise requirement. 2.A detailed description of the design and materials used to make something. Constraints - plural of con·straint (Noun) 1.A limitation or restriction. Parameter- plural of pa·ram·e·ter (Noun) 1.A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

Design Criteria The explicit requirements that a product must meet in order to be successful. Used to evaluate a product’s potential to be successful.

Design Criteria Eight Fundamental Design Criteria 1.Form –Product Size and Shape 2.Function –Performance –Durability –Maintenance –Standardization 3.Materials –Life Cycle of the Product –Environmental Impact 4.Aesthetics 5.Ergonomics 6.Safety and Legal Issues 7.Cost 8.Customer Needs

FORM Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Size and Shape Dimensions Weight

FUNCTION Eight Fundamental Design Criteria What does it need to do? How will it work? Performance Durability Maintained Standardization. ©iStockphoto.com

FUNCTION Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Specify the function of the product –What will the product need to do? Example: When designing a special fork lift for a warehouse, –How will the vehicle be powered? –What is the maximum speed? –On what surfaces must the vehicle operate? –What turning radius is required? –What are the dimensions of the cargo to be lifted? –What is the maximum load to be lifted? –How high must the cargo be lifted and stored? ©iStockphoto.com

Function: DURABILITY Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Operating Environment –Product will encounter a wide range of environments from manufacture to operation by the customer Temperature range Corrosive environments Dust or dirt Pressure and humidity Vibration and noise Degree of abuse

Function: STANARDIZATION Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Specifications – What does it do? Features – What do end users want? Constraints – What are your limiting factors in the design? Parameter – What are the testable features in your design?

MATERIALS Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Often chosen by the design team to meet criteria, but sometimes dictated based on special needs or availability. Durability Life Cycle of the Product Environmental Impact ©iStockphoto.com

Materials: LIFE CYCLE OF PROCUCT Eight Fundamental Design Criteria ©iStockphoto.com Service Life: The length of time a product is expected to operate properly without need for repair Product Life: The length of time a product will undergo production before being replaced with a newer version Planned Obsolescence: making products in such a way that they become out-of-date or useless within a known period.

Materials: ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT Eight Fundamental Design Criteria ©iStockphoto.com What affect will the product have on the Earth’s environment? How will the product be disposed of?

AESTHETICS Eight Fundamental Design Criteria The way that a product looks will affect marketability, especially for a consumer item. –Color –Surface Treatment –Shape –Material Integrating visual appeal with functionality is one key to the consumer’s heart.

ERGONIMICS Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Ergonomics is the science of how humans interact with objects in their environment. Products should be designed for human comfort, efficiency, safety, and ease of use Create products that “fit” the user so that the product is comfortable, efficient, safe, and easy to use.

SAFETY AND LEGAL ISSUES Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Human health and safety Product liability laws expose manufacturers to lawsuits if their products fail

COST Eight Fundamental Design Criteria Cost will impact you dramatically. Most of your project will be done with little to no budget.

Specifications An act of describing or identifying something precisely or of stating a precise requirement. A detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

Design Specification Specific, concise written information about the requirements that must be met in order to attain the intended outcome Design Specifications include: –Criteria –Constraints Must be specific and unambiguous Client must be involved

Constraints A limitation or restriction.

Constraints The limits on the design and production of a product –Resources (people, equipment, etc.) –Budget –Time –Energy –Materials –Manufacturing Process –Others

Parameters A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

Parameters Each criteria and constraint should be expressed with specific or measurable value(s). –Evaluation of Conceptual Designs –Testing Criteria

Measurable Values Poor Specification: The device must warn the driver and slow the vehicle when the car is too close to an object. Better: Within one second the device must warn the vehicle driver and disengage the cruise control when the car attains a distance of less than 50 ft directly between itself and another vehicle.

Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from iStockphoto. Retrieved from