Unit 2: Engineering Design Process

Foundations of Technology

Lesson 1: Collecting and Processing Information

Collecting and Processing Information

The Big Idea

Big Idea:

• Computers assist in organizing and analyzing data used in the Engineering Design Process.

Rationale

Engineers use mathematical equations as tools to help them create technical solutions, structures, and products to meet the needs and desires of society.

Throughout the Foundations of Technology course, students will apply mathematics to solve practical problems and work through design challenges.

The Pythagorean Theorem is an excellent place to start because it applies simple logic and basic algebra.

Why Do We Need Data?

Data are used throughout the Engineering Design Process to optimize designs and improve efficiency during production.

Statistics refer to the collection and organization of data (science) as well as the analysis and presentation of those data (mathematics).

Why Do We Need Data?

Statistics are often evaluated using the assistance of computers and software such as Microsoft Excel.

Such tools allow the user to easily access, collect, organize, maintain, manipulate, and interpret data – which helps to improve efficiency.

Basic Statistics

Basic statistics in engineering include the following terms:

Mean – the average of a given data set.

Median – the middle number in a given ordered data set.

Mode – the most frequently occurring number in a given data set.

Basic Statistics

Basic statistics in engineering include the following terms:

Standard Deviation – how much variation exists from the average (mean) in a given data set.

Range –the distribution of thedata set or the difference between the largest and smallest values.

Basic Statistics

• Tolerance or the amount a characteristic (product/part/dimension/etc…) can vary without compromising (affecting) the overall function or design of the product, greatly influences the basic statistics used in manufacturing.

Basic Statistics

Basic tolerance terms in manufacturing include the following:

Normal size – the size used inthe general description of apart/product.

Basic size – the converted normal size (fraction to decimal) that can producesome deviation.

Basic Statistics

Basic tolerance terms in manufacturing include the following:

Upper Specification Limit – the highest acceptabledeviation or value for a characteristic.

Lower Specification Limit – the lowest acceptable deviation or value for a characteristic.