The Design Process

Where do consumer products begin?

What is Engineering Design?

What documentation process do engineers use when working through a project? Design notebook?

What is the design process engineers and designers use?

What is a mock-up?

Throughout this activity you will use cardboard, poster board, and tape, to build a mock-up (model) of a new simple wooden game. Think about some of the wooden games you have played.

But wait! You’ll be using the Engineering Design Process…

We will build on the game designs throughout the year and end the class by manufacturing the best design. Make sure your designs are good!

Your Challenge

But first…what is a design notebook? Put the project title and your

name on the notebook. Keep a table of contents in the

front of the notebook. Every page in the notebook

should be numbered. Don’t skip any pages. – it should be chronological.

Complete all entries in ink. Don’t overcrowd materials on

pages. Make your entries as you do the

work. Include all your ideas, good or

bad. Cross out errors with an X or

line. Do not tear out pages. Number

each page in the notebook. Rough sketches and calculations

can be done directly in the notebook.

Loose pieces of paper or CAD drawings can be taped in the notebook. Tape each corner of paper Sign from the loose paper,

across the tape, to the notebook page on each corner and date.

Research that can be retrieved easily should not be entered in the notebook. Enter the location and date of

material in the notebook. Sign and date each notebook

page at the bottom as you create them. A witness should sign and

date in a space provided. The witness should have the

technical ability to read the notebook.

Define the Problem

What are; the requirements? Criteria or desired features Constraints and limitations – i.e.

cost, time, and materials

Your Task: Design a simple wooden game. What games have you played

in the past that fit this criteria?

Research the Problem

Use the internet, interviews, observations, etc. to research the problem.

Your Task: What types of games do you like? Where would you use a game like this? Do you know of any games like this? Are there any games you could

redesign and make a simple wooden game?

Develop Possible Solutions

Brainstorming – think of as many solutions as possible. Materials for your final product will include:

wood, poster board, marbles, wooden dowels, golf tees, PVC sheets

Keep these materials in mind as you design.

Your Task: Individually: sketch at least two different

ideas for a simple wooden game. With your partner:

What elements do you like about the designs?

What elements do you not like about the designs?

Choose the Best Solution

No one can tell which solution will be best. At this point you need to compare each solution with the criteria you set in the identify the problem step.

Your Task: Give each design a name and create a chart

to check off if the design meets your criteria.

Which solution will you make a mock-up of with manila folders?

Can you combine various aspects of different solutions into one final solution?

Design 1 Design 2

Criteria 1

Criteria 2

Create a Prototype

Before committing to a particular solution, engineers create a prototype. Prototype: full scale working model that tests

whether the technology meets the requirements.

Prototypes rarely work as expected.

Your Task: Create a scaled sketch of your chosen

design. Create a pattern that can be used to help cut

your materials. Build a mock-up with the available materials. Pay attention to detail and try to produce a

quality model.

Test and Evaluate

Test the solutions to see if it meets the design criteria.

Your Task: Try playing the game. Did you measure and assemble it

correctly? What works well? What needs to

be improved? How much do you think you could

sell a final version for?

Communicate

Explain your solution Communicate the solution to the

people who might use the product.

Your Task: Why should someone buy your cell

phone holder? What makes it worth it? If you had enough time and

materials, what would you do differently?

Redesign

Find a way to improve the initial design.

Your Task: Go back to the first steps in the

process and add some ideas you might have changed your mind about since completing the design.

The engineering design process is more like a wheel than a series of steps…it’s a constant cycle.

The design process is a continuous cycle.

Review of Engineering Design?

What documentation process do engineers use when working through a project? Design notebook?

What is the design process engineers and designers use?

What is a mock-up?

What else happens in the production or manufacturing of a product?

Financial costs Production planningFacility planningQuality controlThe manufacturing processProduction review

We will cover each of these topics and relate each topic back to the simple game designs building into our final culminating activity of manufacturing the top design in the class.

This is just the beginning…