Engineering Design steps

1)Identification of a need 9)Specification

2)Problem definition 10)Communication

3)Search

4)Constraints

5)Criteria

6)Alternative solutions

7)Analysis

8)Decision

1)Identification of a need

• Before a design process begins,someone has to recognize that constructive action needs to be initiated.

• Most products,has a life cycle from design,development,peak demand

• period until the product becomes obsolute

• With the obsolescence of a product there is a recognization of a need of a new product.

2)Problem Defination

• Broad Defination First

• Symptom vs Cause

• Solving the wrong problem

3)Search

• Important Questions

i) What has been written about it?

ii) Is something already on the market that may solve the problem

iii) Who manufactures the current solution

iv) How much does it cost?

v) Cost vs Urgency

Places to search

• Existing solutions

• Internet

• Library

• Government Document

• Professional organization

• Trade Journal

• Vendors

• Experts

4) Design Constraint

• Cost

• Weight

• Temperature

• Strength

5) Criteria

• Cost

• Reliability

• Weight

• Ease of operation

• Appearance

• Compatibility

• Safety features

• Noise level

• Effectiveness

• Durability

• Feasibility

• Acceptance

6)Alternative Solutions

• Brainstorming-

• 3-15 members

• Free expression is essential

• A leader sets the tone and tempo of the session

• The members of the group should be equal

• There must be a recording of the session

Alternative Solution(Continue)

• Analysis of alternative solutions

7)Decision

• Engineering design assignment requires making possible solutions

and also making final decision on what solution to be selected

Making final decision sometimes is hard because of trade off

example – if good quality product is made the cost goes up

or if you choose durability you might use more material

to construct your design that will raise your weight of product

8)Specification

• Specification is the clear defination of a design to others.

a) Specification by words

-other engineers

-managers

-government official

-non-technical officers

b) Graphical specification

- sketch

- engineering drawing

Communication

• Selling,explaining and persuading• A design engineer needs good communication skills to sell,explain and

persuade his manager or superiors on his design, so that they will allocate the budget for his design.

• Methods include

a) Written Report.Appropriate cover pageAbstractTable contentsBodyConclusion and recommendationsAppendixes

b) Oral Presentation

• Be prepared,do rehersal

• Be thoroughly familiar with the material while being familiar with the technical competence of the audience

• Visual aids

• Start and end with important facts