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9 - MCT101 - Engineering Design Process

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3 views4 pages

9 - MCT101 - Engineering Design Process

Uploaded by

izabela26
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FALL 2016

MCT 101-72 Engineering Design Process Lecture 1

The Engineering design process


An engineering design process is a process used by engineers to help
develop products. Engineering design is defined as the process of
devising a system, component or process to meet desired needs. It is a
decision-making process in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and
engineering sciences are applied to best solve a problem. Among the
steps of the design process are setting objectives and criteria, coming
up with possible solutions, analysis of these solutions, construction,
testing, and evaluation.

Steps in the process include identifying a need, defining the problem,


conducting research, narrowing the research, analyzing set criteria,
finding alternative solutions, analyzing possible solutions, making a
decision, presenting the product, and communicating and selling the
product. This process is not universal for all engineers or all processes.
Individuals utilize their personal knowledge and experiences to follow
the path to design success.

1. Identify the Need or Problem: The engineers themselves often do


not identify a need, but rather society discovers a need and then
presents that need to the engineering firm. The term “need” is fairly
vague, but often refers to desire or shortage of a good. This “need”
can sometimes be considered a necessity to some people but a
luxury for others. Identification of the need is a basic engineering
design process, without which engineering design is incomplete.

Prof. I. Jedruchniewicz
FALL 2016
MCT 101-72 Engineering Design Process Lecture 1

2. Research: Most of a productive engineer’s time will be spent on


research, locating, applying, and transferring information. They first
must be well acquainted with as much information possible, which in
turn produce a better solution. Here the engineer asks many
questions, such as, “What has been written about it? Is something
already on the market that may solve the problem? What is wrong
with the way it is being done? What is right with the way it is being
done? Who manufactures the current ‘solution’? How much does it
cost? Will people pay for a better one if it cost more? How much will
they pay (or how bad is the problem)?”. All these questions will help
the engineer get a better grasp on the problem at hand. Another
major part of this research step is finding relevant source of
information (Internet, libraries, public documents, professional
organizations, trade journals, vendor catalogs).Examine current
designs so you don’t reinvent the wheel.

3. Develop Ideas: Get together for a “Brainstorming” session to


generate creative ideas. During this stage don't worry if your ideas
are unrealistic. Write down your ideas. You might also want to sketch
several possibilities on paper. Up until now, the problem research
and definition has been kept broad to allow for a large number of
possible solutions. Constraints are necessary because they eliminate
any extreme solutions that would be inefficient, costly, or physically
impossible to create.

4. Pick an idea: All possible alternative solutions have to be


analyzed to determine their potential. At this point the engineer will
again condense the possible solutions. Using mathematical and key
engineering principles, the engineer analyzes the potential
performance of the solution to determine if the solution is physically
possible. During this analyzing process engineers review the laws of
nature and determine whether the product is economically practical
by using common sense.

5. Prepare a Working Drawing or Prototype: Draw your design


including all the details that are important to its construction. Your
drawing can be a simple sketch or computer generated drawing. Try
to include as many design details as possible. The drawing should be
clear enough to discuss with a non-technical person. If possible,
make a working prototype. Can the design be simulated using
computer software?

6. Test and Evaluate: Does it work? Does it meet the original design
constraints?

7. Communicate the Solution: Make an engineering presentation


that includes a discussion of how the solution best meets the needs

Prof. I. Jedruchniewicz
FALL 2016
MCT 101-72 Engineering Design Process Lecture 1

of the initial problem, opportunity, or need. Get feedback from your


peers and from potential customers

8. Redesign: Refine the design based on information gathered


during the tests and presentation.

This cycle is often repeated several times until a company feels they
have developed product they are willing to manufacture and market.

Example of design ideas

Prof. I. Jedruchniewicz
FALL 2016
MCT 101-72 Engineering Design Process Lecture 1

Prof. I. Jedruchniewicz

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