The Design Process

HNC in Engineering- Engineering Design

Edexcel Unit: Engineering Design (NQF L4)
Author: Leicester College
Date created:
Date revised: 2009

Abstract
This presentation looks at the design Process as applied to practical Engineering situations. An overview of design
considerations and the basic methodology is given. Each stage of the process is explained and its relevance to
modern engineering practice is discussed.

Contents
The Design Process........................................................................................................................................1
The Design Process........................................................................................................................................2
STAGE 1: THE BRIEF........................................................................................................................3
STAGE 2: INVESTIGATION..............................................................................................................3
STAGE 3: IDEAS.................................................................................................................................4
STAGE 4: EVALUATION...................................................................................................................5
STAGE 5: DEVELOPING...................................................................................................................5
STAGE 6: PLANNING........................................................................................................................6
The Specification Phase.................................................................................................................................7
Material Selection........................................................................................................................................10
Engineering Design - Task..........................................................................................................................12
Clarifying tasks for your product specification...................................................................................13
Credits..........................................................................................................................................................14

These files support the Edexcel HN unit – Engineering design

Unit Key words

outcome
The Design 1 Design, Process, Problem, Brief, stages
Process
Material selection 1.3 Materials, design, cost, selection, service requirements, processing
The task 1.1-1.4 Design, specification, customer requirements, service needs, product,
task list
Spec. Phase 1.2, 1.4, PDS, specifications, performance, environment, factors
2.1
User needs 1.1, 2.1, Specification, service requirements, performance, user
2.4
Design intro 1 Concepts, design, ergonomics, fit for purpose

For further information regarding unit outcomes go to Edexcel.org.uk/ HN/ Engineering / Specifications

© Leicester College 2009 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
 The Design Process
(Engineering Design NQF L4)

The Design Process

BRIEF

• Recognition of problem
• Identification of needs
• Recognition of situation

INVESTIGATION

• Research in topic
• Collation of relevant information
• Analysis of topic
• Specification of requirements

IDEAS

• Generation of realistic ideas to satisfy design brief

EVALUATION

• Evaluation of ideas against the specification

• Identification of proposed solution

DEVELOPING

• Sketching, modelling refining proposed solutions

PLANNING

• Drawings from which the product can be realised

• Parts list, planning sheets for realisation

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STAGE 1: THE BRIEF

Where do you begin when you write a design brief? In some cases you might begin by recognising the
problem, for example to automate the assembly of a P.C.B. Another starting point might be seeing the
need to improve something, like the instructions for fitting a burglar alarm. A third starting point might
be recognising an area where something is not working well, for example a factory layout. In this case
you might have to do some research to find the real need. From these differing standpoints you will need
to write a design brief.

STAGE 2: INVESTIGATION

Investigation leads to a clearer understanding of the limits of the design problem. First of all you should
read and understand the key words of the design brief. For example take an simple domestic example:

‘Design a storage unit for kitchen roll cling film and aluminium foil, which will take up a visible
position and will dispense the material easily’

The key points are storage, the three rolls, dispensing ability and appearance. These give a useful starting
point for your design. Having analysed the brief you then need to research into the problems. For
example there may be products available that with modification would be a possible solution, or a least a
starting point. Through this process you will be able to decide on exact limits and constraints, this is
called a

SPECIFICATION

A simple way of seeing if you have created a good specification is to check whether key factors are
covered. These may not all be appropriate to any one problem, but having checked them at least you will
know the point has been considered, for example:

SIZE FUNCTION APPEARANCE STORAGE

COST SAFETY ENVIRONMENT MATERIALS

SHAPE ERGONOMICS RELIABILITY FINISH

MAINTENANCE Other factors ?

The order and priority will change according to the design problem. For example, the design of a ‘pop-
up’ book would place a low priority to safety, where as a piece of electrical equipment or industrial
machine tool would give a high priority to safety.

The design factors will often result in a series of conflicting points being raised. However, balancing
these point is the essence of good design and it is now that you move on to the third stage of creating
ideas.

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STAGE 3: IDEAS

Generating ideas, which solve the problem, is the most creative area of the whole designing activity.
Ideas can be generated through thinking and sketching. At this stage you might want to draw complete
artefacts of components very precisely. This is a mistake, as it tends to create rigid, isolated ideas. It is
far better to make quick sketches of outlines and rough form that can easily be modified.

Different problems lead to differing approaches. For example, if you are designing a car jack, the
functional operation will be a key part of the design. However, if you a designing a piece of jewellery,
the starting point may be shapes and forms. The sketches should be a means of thinking on paper. With
complex problems, ideas may be created for parts of the problem.

There are several ways of working at generating of ideas and different methods can be used, depending
on the problem.

The following may be helpful:

Observation and adaptation: Look at existing solution to similar problems, and from these you can
usually develop ideas, consider how this can be adapted. Remember that design is about solving
problems in the best form, rather than always creating original ideas.

Ideas from drawings: The creation of ideas from drawings is particularly useful for work in creating the
shape and forms of a product. These visual investigations are a very effective way of creating ideas.

Brainstorming: This is usually a group activity where everyone thinks of ideas to solve the problem.
The ideas are shared, which often stimulates further ideas.

Checklist: The use of a checklist can provide more starting points to stimulate ideas. A work or a phrase
in a checklist can help you think about the problem from another viewpoint. The checklist may be as
shown in ‘Stage 2: Investigation’ or in the form of questions:

What is the purpose of what I am trying to design?

Who may use it?
Where is it going to be used?
Can it be modified?
What is the important part of the design?

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STAGE 4: EVALUATION

The evaluation of ideas is a critical phase because it is at this stage that the proposed solution is first
identified. It is wise to look carefully at all the ideas, but you need to be clear of what you are looking for
when you are choosing an idea to develop.

These points my be helpful:

1. Does the idea meet the brief you started with?

2. If not does it satisfy the need better?
3. Does it meet the specification?
4. Is it possible for the proposed solution to be made with the resources of time, materials and
equipment available?
5. Is it financially viable?

In your design work it is wise to write down your reasons for making choices. At the end of a project or
assignment you can explain why you chose a particular design.

STAGE 5: DEVELOPING

Developing and refining the proposed solution is the stage when you convert the idea into reality. Some
times at this stage models or C.A.D. are used to help develop and refining a proposal. At this stage, a
number of factors are likely to arise and you will be required to make a decision.

Materials

Materials provide a major constraint. First, you must know how you wish the various parts of your
solution to behave. You can then begin to identify an appropriate material for each part. Properties of
materials, which you might consider, are:

WEIGHT STRENGTH TOUGHNESS HARDNESS

FLEXIBILITY FEEL CONDUCTIVITY

COLOUR
Other factors
RESISTANCE TO HEAT/CORROSION

Having identified the properties of the material, you should then consider its availability. This will
depend on both the material (e.g. acrylic, lo carbon steel), and also its form (e.g. sheet tube or bar etc.).
When you specify the form you should give accurate sizes. In choosing materials you should also
consider cost. For example the cost of precious metals or specialist electronics components might lead
you to reconsider.

Size and shape

These key points will greatly influence your final design. You may need to consider how your proposed
solution will come into contact with people. This will affect sizes, ranging from printed letters that can be
easily read, to the height of a table or the shape and position of a lever.

The study of how objects, systems, and the environment can be designed to fit in with people is called
ERGONOMICS. This is important when deciding such things as the height of a computer screen, or the

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smallest size for control knob or button. In order to design solutions that fit in with people, you will need
to know human measurements. This is called ANTHROPOMETRIC data.

It is also important to consider how your proposed solution will look in its environment. When designing
your solution you will therefore need to consider its overall size in relation to other objects.

Appearance

A highly functional product, which looks awful, is unlikely to sell, as is an attractive product, which does
not function. The visual qualities, which contribute to the overall ‘look’ of a product, are called
aesthetics. Aesthetics values vary with different cultures, and fashion and styles change.

Safety

When developing any product, it is important that safety is considered throughout. Will the operating
environment present any safety problems? Could your product be mis-used? Is there any British
standards or international standards, which are relevant? Appropriate safety standards must be applied to
the design.

STAGE 6: PLANNING

Once the developing and refining of the proposed solution is completed, it is necessary to communicate
your design. This is done in two parts.

The first is concerned with the creation of technical or production drawings. These drawings are
normally of a formal nature, often in orthographic projection. They should show each part and its
dimensions, and an assembly drawing can show how all the parts fit together.

As well as drawings there may also be a need to provide a parts list. This lists all the materials/electronic
components used and their details (e.g. sizes type etc.)
You will also need to plan manufacture and the processes selected should reflect the quantity required and
the chosen materials.

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The Specification Phase

Product Design Specification (PDS)

It is a dynamic, evolutionary and comprehensively written document that can be subject to

change.

It specifies what you want but not how to do it.

It must be comprehensive and unambiguous. Poor PDS’s lead to poor designs. Good PDS’s
do not guarantee the best designs but make the goal more achievable.

The elements of a PDS are applicable to all products irrespective of technology.

It sets the design in context, representing a comprehensive set of constraints.

Performance: Must be fully defined, establishing objectives that

can be achieved. How fast, how slow, how often,
work rate, etc.

Environment: Temperature range (humidity), pressure, shock

loading, dirty/dusty, corrosive, noise levels,
insects, vibration, etc.
Changes may occur to the environment during the
manufacturing stages, for example:
During manufacture – exposure to fluids, solvents,
fluxes, etc.
During assembly – assembly forces, contamination
from human contact, etc.
Also during storage, packaging, transportation,
display, etc.

Life in service: Is the service life to be long or short? These

(Performance) criteria should be specified as part of the PDS.
How is product life assessed? (one day, one
week, one year, etc).

Maintenance Regular maintenance desirable/available.

Specify the ease of access to parts that are likely
to require maintenance.

Target product Established from the outset, checked against

cost: existing or ‘like’ products.

Competition: Requires a thorough analysis of the competition,

such as literature searches, patents, product
literature, etc.
Shipping: How is the product to be delivered (land, air, sea -
at home or abroad).
What type of truck or pallet container?
The effects of assembly breakdown of the product.

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Packing: Necessary for transport, storage, etc.
Should the packaging protect against the
environmental effects of shipping, such as salt
water, corrosion, shock loading, etc.

Quantity: Likely numbers, this will affect all aspects of the

products design. For example, a ‘one-off’ requires
relatively little tooling in comparison to larger
quantities.

Manufacturing Designing to utilise an existing plant.

facility: Is the plant/machinery involved a constraint to the
design?
Make in or buy out policy?

Size: Are there any restrictions on the size of the product

such as shipping and maintenance, etc.

Weight: Weight = cost (shipping?)

Should the design be modular?

Aesthetics: Colour, shape, form and texture considered from

Appearance: the outset (marketing options).
Finish:

Materials: Considered choice which will also include legal

restraints (e.g. with the use of lead).

Product life Is the life span a marketable entity?

span: It affects tooling policy and manufacturing facilities.
Product life spans are reducing rapidly.

Standards: Must be designed to comply with current and

Specifications: relevant International/British standards.
Should these be specified?

Ergonomics: The nature of interaction between man and

product, for example height, shape, force, etc.
Operational torques must be acceptable to the
user.

Customer: Knowledge of the customer likes, dislikes,

prejudices, misconceptions are all essential to the
success of the product.

Quality and Reference should be made to the quality

reliability: standard/mark that the product is made to (e.g.
ISO9001).

Shelf life: Combating decay, for example: rusty gearboxes,

Storage: perished rubber components, seized bearings,
general corrosion and contamination, etc.

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Processes: If special processes are required during the
manufacture of the product, they must be defined.

Time scales: Time scale for the project as a whole (leader

times) must be adequate to ensure that product is
designed effectively.

Testing: Whether it is decided to test is 1 in 10, 1 in 100 or

what ever is considered suitable, the initial test
specification must be written at an early stage.

Safety: All safety aspects are considered. This includes

complying with current legislation and standards.
Labelling of the product.
Definitive operating instructions.

Company Current company practice and manufacturing

constraints: facility constraints. This also includes financial and
investment constraints, adequate in house facilities
for research.
Design development testing, quality of personnel.

Market Market feedback, are certain components

constraints: acceptable in different countries (e.g. the middle
East will not use Ford engines).

Patents, All areas of useful information should be

literature and investigated.
product data: Any possibility of patent clashing should be known.

Political and What is the likely effect of the product on the social
social and political structure of the market or country for
implication: which it is designed.
Consider the stability of the market.

Legal: Consider the legal aspects of the design, for

example: EEC product liability legislation, etc.
Documentation Instruction for use, maintenance, servicing, etc,
: must be completed and comprehensive.

Installation: Does the product interface with other products or is

it to be assembled onto a larger product (e.g. a
building), with considerations being given to fixing
holes, lugs, access, system compatibility, power
compatibility, etc.

Disposal: The effects of disposal on the environment

(biodegradable plastics, hazardous/toxic parts,
batteries, mercury, lead, etc.

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Material Selection
When selecting a material for an engineered product or component a range of factors should be
taken into account. Broadly speaking these factors can be divided into three factors which are;
• Cost
• Processing / manufacturing requirements
• Service conditions

These factors are broken down into categories below but it should be born in mind that each
factor cannot be taken in isolation as there are influences and knock on effects for each.

The designer is now blessed with an ever-increasing array of materials from which to choose,
this however increases the difficulty in deciding which offers the greatest number of advantages
for a particular component.

The factors listed below is an attempt to provide a concise list of properties which need to be
considered when making a choice of suitable materials. The following points need to reviewed:

COST
ECONOMIC Material costs can be equated against mass volume or
strength.
Process costs ie. casting, extrusion etc.
Working costs ie. forging, pressing etc.
Machining costs.
Jointing costs.
Finishing costs.
Availability
Quantity required
Selling price target

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

MECHANICAL Properties such as:

Density.
Modulus and Damping.
Yield strength.
Tensile strength.
Fatigue strength.
Fracture toughness.
Hardness.
Thermal fatigue resistance.
Creep resistance.

NON-MECHANICAL Thermal properties.

Electrical properties.
Magnetic properties.
Optical properties

SURFACE Properties which affect:

Oxidation & Corrosion.

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Friction.
Abrasion.
Wear.

PROCESSING

PRODUCTION Considerations which will effect the fabrication of the

Component:
Ductility.
Malleability.
Castibilty.
Machinability.
Ease of joining.
Heat treatment response.

OTHER FACTORS

AESTHETICS Qualities:
Appearance.
Stability.
Texture. etc

ERGONOMICS Operation
Anthropometrics
Human / machine interface

TIME Factors:
Availability.
Time taken to fabricate.

COST PROCS

SERVICE
REQS

It is important to bear in mind that none of these factors can be taken in isolation.
They effect each other and are affected by each other. The final result is nearly always a
compromise of conflicting factors. In some cases one particular feature may, however,
be predominant – for example safety in certain components for the aircraft or nuclear
industries.

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Engineering Design - Task

© smaedli 2009. Sourced from http://www.flickr.com/photos/smaedli/3790624515/sizes/s/

available for download under a Creative Commons license.

Produce a product specification

Your company intends to produce a steam iron which is able to use normal tap water to fill the
reservoir without incurring fouling, scaling or discolouration. The power rating of the iron should
not exceed 1.8kW and the iron should be light and capable of easy handling by both right and
left handed users.

You are required to;

• Research the product and list 10 most important design features of a steam iron.

• Produce a design specification which includes at least 6 categories with 6 elements in

each. These must not be constraining.

• Justify your selection for each of the elements.

• Produce at least two preliminary design solutions in the form of a concept sketch with
accompanying explanatory notes for each possible solution.

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Clarifying tasks for your product specification

In order to develop your design brief and specification you need to identify what the end user’s
needs are;

• What is the need or problem I can Solve?

• Who are the potential user(s) /my target market group?
• How can I solve the need/problem?
• What might the intended product be?
• Where will the product be used?
• How will it be used?
• What benefits will it bring to users?
• Does it have to conform to a standard size?
• What about aesthetics?
• Does it need to fit any regulations such as for safety or quality?
• How should the product perform?
• What kinds of materials and processes can I use?
• What is the potential price range?
• Is it something that I can design and make?

What sources will you use in order to find this information out ?
Internet / Surveys / Questionnaires / Catalogues ?????

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Credits

This resource was created Leicester College and released as an open educational resource
through the Open Engineering Resources project of the Higher Education Academy
Engineering Subject Centre. The Open Engineering Resources project was funded by HEFCE
and part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER programme.

© 2009 Leicester College

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

The JISC logo is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England &
Wales Licence. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that licence.

The HEA logo is owned by the Higher Education Academy Limited may be freely distributed and copied for educational purposes only, provided
that appropriate acknowledgement is given to the Higher Education Academy as the copyright holder and original publisher.

The Leicester College name and logo is owned by the College and should not be produced without the express permission of the College.

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