Question

Expatiate on what goes into Good Designing in the engineering field; your solution should not be less than a page.

Answer 1

Definition of Design

Engineering design is the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.

• It is a decision-making process (often iterative), in which the engineering sciences and mathematics are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective.

• Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing and evaluation.

Following are the things should keep in mind for  Good Designing in the engineering field

1. Recognize the Need

• The first step is to establish the ultimate purpose of the project. Often, this is in the form of a general statement of the client’s dissatisfaction with a current situation.

• example – “There is too much damage to bumpers in low-speed collisions.”

• This is a general statement that does not comment on the design approach to the problem. It does not say that the bumper should be stronger or more flexible.

• Recognition and phrasing of the need are often very creative acts because the need may only be a sensing that something is not right. For this reason, sensitive people are generally more creative.

• example – the need to do something about a food packaging machine may be indicated by the noise level, variation in package weights, or by slight but perceptible variations in the quality of the packaging.

2. Problem Definition

• This is one of the most critical steps of the design process.

• There is an iteration between the definition of the problem and the recognition of need. Often the true problem is not what it first seems. Problem Definition Recognize the Need

• The problem definition is more specific than recognizing the need. For instance, if the need is for cleaner air, the problem might be that of reducing the dust discharge from power-plant stacks, or reducing the quantity of irritants from automotive exhausts, or means for quickly extinguishing forest fires.

• The problem definition must include all the specifications for the thing that is to be designed. Anything which limits the designer’s freedom of choice is a specification.

• It is imperative to write a formal problem statement which expresses what the design is to accomplish.

include:

objectives and goals (musts, must nots; wants, don't wants) constraints criteria used to evaluate the design.

• Example: Mobile Vehicle

Design a vehicle which can maneuver in an indoor environment. The vehicle will be operated via remote control and must be able to:

1) Travel up to a speed of 7 ft/sec on a flat, horizontal, dry, bare concrete surface.

2) Climb 5” high stairs at speeds up to 2 ft/sec.

3) Carry a payload of at least 20 lbs.

4) Fit through doorways.

5) Cross obstacles up to 20" high and up to 24" across within 20 seconds.

6) Climb a slope of up to 30 degrees and cross side slopes up to 20 degrees.

7) Rotate with zero turning radius.

8) Travel in any direction.

9) Total vehicle weight should be less than 275 lbs.

3. Gathering of Information

• • Often, either no information is easily found, or there is an abundance of information
• Never-ending process for the best design engineers

4. Concept Generation

This is the most creative part of the design process. Problem Definition

• Store ideas in a design notebook.

• Some approaches to concept generation:

adaptation

a solution of a problem in one field is applied to a similar problem in another field (wine press → printing press → pistol grip) Concept Generation

analogy obstacle avoidance similar to potential fields - area thinking improve an existing product by concentrating on one of its important characteristics (cost, performance, function, appearance, safety, etc.) -

brainstorming group of people who are familiar with the general nature of the problem; everyone says what comes to mind rules: (1) no judgements; (2) the more unconventional the better; (3) the more ideas the better.

5. Concept Selection

• form decision matrix to unbiasedly evaluate different ideas based on a weighted set of objectives the design team decides are important for the solving the problem.

6. Communication of the Design

• The purpose of the design is to satisfy the needs of the client.

• Designer must provide oral presentations and written design reports.

• Continuous communication is important in order to avoid surprises.

• Many great designs and inventions have been lost simply because the originator was unable or unwilling to explain his/her accomplishments to others.

• There are only 3 forms of communication available to us: written, oral and graphical. The successful engineer will be technically competent and versatile in all three. Competency only comes from practice. Recognize the Need Problem Definition Gathering of Information Concept Generation Communication Concept Selection

• Ability in writing can be acquired by writing letters, reports, memos, and papers. It doesn’t matter whether the articles are published or reviewed—the practice is the important thing. Ability in speaking can be obtained in educational, fraternal, civic, church and professional activities. To acquire drawing ability, pencil sketching should be employed to illustrate every idea possible. CAD work should complement this, not replace it.

• Importance of sketches, drawings, visual aids, computer graphics and models in the communications process.

7. Detailed Design and Analysis

• • The principal goal of your engineering studies is to enable you to create mathematical models which accurately simulate the real physical world.
• All real physical systems are complex. Creating a mathematical model of the system means we are simplifying the system to the point that it can be analyzed. The terms rigid body and concentrated force are examples. The rule in making such assumptions, is that, in creating the model, the model must be meaningful—i.e. a good and appropriate model given the design constraints involved.
• The nature of the problem, its economics, the computational facilities available and the ability and working time of the engineer, all play a key role in the formulation of the model.
• The designer’s time investment typically increases exponentially with regard to model accuracy.

8. Prototype Development and Testing Recognize the Need

9. Manufacturing

• Initial exposure in EML2322 lab and design project.

10. Life Cycle Maintenance

• Learned from experience and industry standards.