The Pennsylvania State University

School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs

EDSGN 100 Introduction to

Engineering Design

FUNCTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Ivan E. Esparragoza, PhD

Functions and Specifications
Statement of problem
Project No. 2
Functions and Specifications

Customer
Statement
(Need)

Problem Definition
Literature search
Market studies Clarify objectives
Focus groups Establish user
Observations requirements
Benchmarking Identify constraints
Patents search Establish functions
Product dissection

Conceptual Design

Establish design
Biomimicry
specifications
Brainstorming
Generate alternatives
Systematic generation
Evaluate and select
of ideas
alternatives
 Outline

 Functions vs. Specifications

 Functions Definition
 Function Structure
 Function-Means Tree
 Design Specifications
 Requirements List
 Objectives-Metrics Matrix
 House of Quality
 Functions vs. Specifications

 How can the designer express what the client wants in

engineering terms?

 Functions and functional specifications:

 They tell us what the designed object must do to realize
the stated objective.

 Performance specifications:
 They tell us how well the designed object must do
something
 Functions Definition

 Generally speaking, functions transform independent

variables (inputs) into a response or dependent
variables (outputs).

Independent Variables Transformation Dependent Variables

(INPUT) (FUNCTION) (OUTPUT)

 A function of a product is a statement of a clear,

reproducible relationship between the available input
and the desired output.
 Product Function

 To designers, functions are the things that the

designed object must do in order to be successful.

 As such, the statement of a function usually consists of

an “action” verb and a noun.

 Example of action verbs:

 Lift
 Raise
 Move
 Heat
 Illuminate
 support, etc…
 Product Function
 All design problems should be decompose into the
design functionally independent subsystems.
 Overall or basic functions:
 The specific work that a project, process, or procedure is
designed to accomplish.
 Sub-functions or secondary functions:
 Any other functions needed to do the basic function.
 Those that result from doing the basic function
 Abstraction:
 is the process of ignoring what is particular or incidental
and emphasizing what is general and essential.
Function Tree: An elementary approach that decomposes
the prime function hierarchically into sub-functions.
 Function-Means Tree: Each layer alternates between
showing means by which the function(s) might be
implemented.

Functions
Can Crush
(Rectangles)

Means
Mechanical Electrical Hydraulic
(Trapezoids)

Transfer torque
Transfer force
Generate and rotational
Apply human Transfer force Use electric Use sensors Use hydraulic and motion into Use sensors
mechanical motion to a
force into mechanism motors and switches pump crushing and switches
advantage linear
mechanism
mechanism

Wall outlet
Battery powered Manual Electrical
powered

Mechanical Electronics Mechanical Electronics

 Establishing System Functionality

 Function trees are simple yet effective at revealing sub-

functions of a product.

 This method has limitations.

 Function structure:
 A more robust and complete method of modeling a product’s
functionality
 The function structure follows two models:
 Black-box model
 Transparent-box model
 Black Box Model

 Overall function diagram (Black box):

 The overall function diagram is presented by a black box
that shows the inputs and outputs to the system, including
the flow of energy, material, and information from/to the
surroundings.
 The basic functions and sub-functions will not appear on
this diagram.

Black Box

INPUT FUNCTIONS OUTPUT

 Transparent Box Model

 Function blocks (Transparent box):

 The function blocks are used to represent the relationship
between functions and sub-functions.

 The aim of this is to help the designer to search and

establish an optimum function structure.

 The primary purpose of function structures is to

facilitate the discovery of solutions.

 The function structure is presented by a transparent box

where the relationship between the function and sub-
functions inside the black box are shown.
Transparent Box Diagram

Function Blocks
 Broadening the Scope (Collaborative
Project Approach)

 Function analysis
 Create a black-box model
 Can you anticipate in or out flows that might have a
negative impact (consider short and long term impact)?
 Create a transparent-box model
 Can you anticipate internal flows that might have a
negative impact (consider short and long term impact)?
 List product specifications
 Can you identify critical specifications that might have to
be monitored closely for negative impact?
 Function Structure Diagram
Example: Can Crush

Crushed cans

Intact cans Tabs removed

Can Crusher
Liquid from cans

INPUT FUNCTIONS OUTPUT

Force Force Liquid Force

Crushed cans
Punch can to Send crushed
Can holder Crush can
Intact cans remove liquid can to bin
Align can
Remove Send tap to
Tab holder
tab recycle bin

Force Force Separate tabs

 Design Specifications

 Engineering specifications are the restatement of the design

problem in terms of parameters that can be measured and have
target values.

FUNCTION OBJECTIVE SPECIFICATION

Statement of what a design must Statement of the required or desired Articulation of the attributes of the design
achieve or do. features and attributes in terms of measurable parameters

EXAMPLE
FUNCTION OBJECTIVE SPECIFICATION

Low weight Weight less than 400 N

Support a person in a sitting
position Supports 6000 N
Safe
Height does not exceed 500 mm
 Design Specifications

 Engineering specifications are the restatement of the design

problem in terms of parameters that can be measured and have
target values.

FUNCTION OBJECTIVE SPECIFICATION

Statement of what a design must Statement of the required or desired Articulation of the attributes of the design
achieve or do. features and attributes in terms of measurable parameters

EXAMPLE
FUNCTION OBJECTIVE SPECIFICATION

Low weight Weight less than 400 N

Support a person in a sitting
position Supports 6000 N
Safe
Height does not exceed 500 mm
 Types of Design Specifications

 Design specifications or requirements are presented in

three forms that represents what the user wants in
terms suitable for engineering analysis and design:

 Prescriptive specifications specify values for attributes

of the designed object.

 Procedural specifications identify specific procedures

for calculating attributes or behavior.

 Performance specifications identify performance

levels that signify the achieved desired functional
behavior.
 Types of Design Specifications
Example

PRESCRIPTIVE PROCEDURAL PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS
It is made out of Aluminum alloy Its maximum normal stress is It supports a weight of 6000 N
7075-T6 and the longest member computed from
does not exceed 500 mm.
Pcr
 max 
A
And it should not exceed the
maximum allowable stress for axial
loading and buckling
 Setting Product Specifications

 Having benchmarked competitive products on customer

and technical criteria, the next step is to use this
information to set targets for a new product development
effort.

 Specifications for a new product are quantitative,

measurable criteria that the product should be
designed to satisfy.
Setting specifications using the Performance
Specifications Method
 Requirements List (Specification Sheet)

 Before a certain solution is adopted, a requirement list

should be created including:
 Demands: Requirements that must be met under all
circumstances
 Wishes: Requirements that should be taken into
consideration
 Quantitative specifications: All data involving numbers
and magnitudes
 Qualitative specifications: All data involving permissible
variations or special requirements
 Specification Description
Category
Geometry Size, height, breadth, length, diameter, space, requirement, number, arrangement, etc.
Kinematics Type of motion, direction of motion, velocity, acceleration
Forces Direction of force, magnitude of force, frequency, weight, load, deformation, stiffness, etc.
Energy Output, efficiency, loss, state, temperature, heating, cooling, supply, storage, etc..
Materials Physical and chemical properties of initial and final product, auxiliary materials, prescribed materials
Signals Inputs and outputs, form, display, control equipment
Safety Direct safety principles, protective systems, operational, operator, environmental, etc.
Ergonomics The man-machine relationship, type of operation, clearness of layout, lighting, etc.
Production Factory limitations, maximum possible dimensions, preferred production methods, means of production,
etc…
Quality control Possibilities of testing and measuring, application of special regulations and standards.
Assembly Special regulations, installations, sitting, foundation.
Transport Limitations due to lifting gear, clearance, means of transport (height and weight), nature and conditions
of dispatch.
Operation Quietness, wear, special use, marketing area, destination (environmental conditions), etc.
Maintenance Servicing intervals, inspection, exchange and repair, painting, cleaning etc.
Recycling Reuse, reprocessing, waste disposal, storage, etc.
Costs Maximum permissible manufacturing cost, cost of tooling, investment, depreciation, etc.
Schedule End date of development, project planning and control, delivery date, etc.
Requirement List Example
Requirement list
Penn State Issued: 07/27/07
for the Can Crusher
D
Changes Requirements Resp.
W
1. Geometry
D Dimensions < 1x1x0.5 m
D Required loading high from the floor < 1.2 m
W Storage capacity > 100 crushed cans
W Storage capacity > 500 tabs
D Round corners
D Number of parts < 100
D Internal parts enclose > 95%

2. Kinematics
W Precise position for crushing
D Mechanical advantage > 7
W Crushing time < 5 s

3. Forces
D External applied force < 15 N
D Crushing force > 600 N
D Perforating force > 300 N

4. Material
W Free from rust

5. Safety
The Design
D Stops < 2 s
Team
D Noise level < 30 dB

6. Signals
W One red light indicating operation
W One green light indicting idle
D Sticker explaining operation

7. Operation
D Steps to operate 2
D People able to use it > 5 years old

8. Maintenance
W Number of hours for maintenance < 2 per year
W Number of hours for cleaning < 1 per week

9. Costs
W Customer cost < $100
D Operation cost < $5/month
W Maintenance cost < $20/year
W Cost of replacement parts < $10/year
D Manufacturing cost < $80
 Objectives-Metrics Matrix (1 of 3)

 A simple objectives-metrics represent the relationship

between objectives and metrics.

 This matrix is a key element of the House of Quality a

graphical technique used in Quality Function
Deployment.

 In many cases, the information of the matrix is also

easily communicated in a list format.
 Low noise

Easy to clean

Pleasing to eye
No sharp edges

Paintable surfaces
Corrosion resistant
Low operation cost

Size of cans variable

Low cost to costumer

Low maintenance cost

Crush one can at a time

Easy access to clear jam

Empty cans before crushing
Stops easily and immediately

Internal parts totally enclosed

Low cost of parts replacement

Removable receiving containers
Rendered inoperable when opened

Transparent cover to view operation

Internal parts save from liquid damage
Design Objectives

Easy to use with minimum effort for the user

Metrics

l
l
Dimensions < 1x1x0.5 m
l

Require loading height from the floor < 1.2 m

l
l
Storage capacity > 100 crushed cans
l

Storage capacity > 500 tabs

l
Round corners

l
l
l
l
l
Number of parts < 100

l l
Internal parts enclosed > 95%

l
l
l

Precise position for crushing

l

Mechanical advantage > 7

l

Crushing time < 5 s

l

External applied force < 15 N

l l
l

Crushing force > 600 N

l
l

Perforating force > 300 N

l
l
l

Free from rust

l
l

Stops < 2 s
l

Nose level < 30 dB

l

One red light indicating operation

l

One green light indicating idle

l
l

Sticker explaining operation

Steps to operate 2
l
l l

People able to use it > 5 years old

Number of hours for maintenance < 2 per year

l
l l
l

Number of hours for cleaning < 1 hour per week

l

Customer cost < $100

l

Operation cost < $5/month

l
l l

Maintenance cost < $20/year

Objective-metrics matrix (Example can-crusher)

l
l

Cost of replacement parts < $10/year

l l

Manufacturing cost < $80

 House of Quality

 Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a methodology

that uses a matrix (House of Quality) for:
 Defining the customers’ desires
 Prioritizing these desires
 Translating them into engineering requirements (specifications)
 Establishing targets for meeting the requirements.
 Correlation matrix
Coupling

Hows vs. Hows

Engineering characteristics and specifications

Functional Requirements Existing products

Hows Now
(Measures, metrics)
Important weights
Important ratings

Customer requirements Benchmark satisfaction rates

Correlation ratings
Customer targets and ratings
Whats
Whats vs. Hows
(Objectives, fucntions) Now vs. Whats

Targets

How muches
 _

House of Quality _
_ +

Example _

Temperature of the water in steeping basket

Automatic iced tea maker HQ (partial)

Hottest temperature outside container

Time water is in contact with tea

Temperature of exiting hot tea

Indicator Meaning Strength

Time needed to add the tea

West Bend Iced Tea Maker

Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker
Time to clean the product

West Bend Coffee Maker

Volume of water in tank
Indicates strong relationship or much importance 9

Largest size of brew

Relative Importance
Indicates some relationship or some importance 5

Old Fashion Way

Powdered Tea
Indicates a small relationship or importance 3

Total volume
Blank Indicates no realationship 0

ATTRIBUTE

Stronger tea 9 4 1 5 5 1

Easy to add ice 5 3 2 2 2 3

Easy to add tea 5 3 3 2 2 3

Easy to clean 3 3 3 2 4 3

Easy to store 3 4 3 5 5 3

Brew large amount 2 3 2 4 4 3

Contain steam 2 4 4 2 5 1

Technical difficulty 3 4 1 3 3 2 3 3 2

cm-
Measurement Units C
m
cup C sec sec ft^3 qt C

Object target values 98 8 3 44 0 30 0.2 3 ?

West Bend Iced Tea M. 98 << 4.75 88 5 20 0.4 2 100

Mr. Coffe ? 8 4.75 ? 1 20 0.2 2 ?

Objective West Bend Coffee

98 na 0 ? 5 20 0.4 1.5 ?
Measures Maker
Old Fashion Way 99 5 na hot 2 240 na na 100

Powdered Tea na na na 25 5 60 na na 25

Absolut 83 81 63 45 45 27 36 27 18
Technical
Importance
Relative 1 2 3 4 4 6 5 6 8