Part 1 - The challenge of Product Design Flashcards
Technology Readines Levels (TRLs)
Defines the maturity of a product. There are man stages required to design a new product
TRL 0: Idea - Unproven Concept - no testing
TRL 1: Basic Research - Principles postualted but no experimental proof.
TRL 2: Technology Formulation - Concept and application have been formulated
TRL 3: Applied Research - First lab tests are completed
TRL 4: Small scale prototype - Test in Lab environment
TRL 5: Large scale prototype - Test in Intended environment
TRL 6: Prototype System - Closer to expected performance
TRL 7: Demonstration System- Operating in environment ( pre-comercial sale)
TRL 8: First of a kind commercial system- Manufacturing issues solved.
TRL 9: Full comercial application- Technology for consumers.
Form
Shape of a product
Function
The function of a product
Ergonomics
Design for human interface
Aesthetics
Design for beautiful appeal
Why are products complicaticated (3)?
1- Complex Product. Lots of parts each requiring lots of information for manufacture.
2- Large Organisations - Multi-disciplinary design teams containing lots of people must work together and communicate effectively.
3- Verification - Products must be verified and tested. All parts must have a paper trail.
What are Product Objectives
When designing, many objectives must be considered and prioritised. Evaluation against the objectives requires large amounts of work e.g. Life cycle analysis.
Examples of Objectives- Cost, Ergonomics, Safety, Reliability, Luxury, Environmental, Aesthetics.
Why is reliability difficult to design for? (Case Study)
Customers expect products to be reliable. When designing there are vast amounts of unknown unknowns.
Toyota recalled cars as accelerator could get stuck under floor mats. Huge cost implications to resolve design problems. Whilst making the majority of correct decisions, one mistake can have a big effect
Retaining Knowledge
Products that develop over time must try to keep the same heritage whilst keeping up to date with new technologies
What is the Form Function conflict
Ensuring that a product performs as expected whilst also being aesthetically pleasing can be challenging.
What Environmental Conditions must be considered when designing a product?
New legislation can dictate how products are designed. E.g. taxes on diesel cars
State 7 Challenges of Design:
1- Many Stages required to develop a new product 2- Products are complicated 3- Products have multiple objectives 4- Products must be reliable 5- Retaining Knowledge 6- Form v Function Conflict 7 - Environmental Legislation
Why is a design process required?
To systematically coordinate the efforts of large multi disciplinary teams.
State 3 types of design
Incremental - Minor changes to sub system
Adaptive - Significant changes/ replace whole sub system. Normally occurs due to new technologies.
Original- Major changes to whole system (more risky- sometimes reduced risk by government incentives)
Define the Product Lifecycle
Motivation: Need for a product -> Product Plan -> Feasibility Study. ->
Creation: Design -> Development -> Production ->
Operation: Distribution -> Operation
Disposal: Disposal
This process is nearly always iterative
What is the Pahl and Beitz Model
Design process broken down into distinct stages making process more manageable. ( Task Clarification, Conceptual Design Embodiment Design, Detail Design)
Stages sometimes overlapped to reduce time most suitable for incremental design.
What is the Double Diamond including benefits
Discover - (Divergent) Research markets, understand task.
Define - (Convergent) Align market research is aligned with business objectives.
Develop ( Divergent) A wide range of design solutions are explored.
Deliver (Convergent) Complete product definition.
Benefits: Breaks task into stages with outputs, encourages the designer to clarify specification.
What is the V model
Project Definition: Concept of Operation _> Requirement and Architecture _> Detailed Design
IMPLEMENTATION
Project Test and Integration: Integration, Test, Validation -> System Verification -> Operations and Maintenance.
Product life cycle is top down for design phase and bottom up for verification and delivery.
This is advantageous as it is good to have an overall picture before designing the details and if a component fails then so would the sub system so bottom up testing is suitable.
What is the Stage Gate Model
Suits formal industry
Emphasis that certain achievements are required in order to progress.
Design reviews at set dates.
Performance of design can be defined and recorded at milestones for which managers can sign off on.
State 4 types of prototype models
Breadboard Model - Check broad feasibility
Engineering Model - Physically verify main performance aspects
Qualification Model - Check entire performance compared to requirements. (Include Safety Margins)
Delivered Model - Actual product performance before delivery.
State 4 Design Reviews
PDR - Concept Design (Breadboard Model)
Engineering Design Review- Detailed Design ( Engineering Model)
Qualification Design Review - Review of Qualification Model
FDR - Review of delivered model performance
What is important to consider when creating a problem statement?
Solution - neutral as failure to do so can discourage innovative solutions
How can you ensure a complete list of specification requirements
Multidisciplinary checklist for requirements in each area.
Check with relevant design authorities.
Use of function means tree to create specs that ensure objectives are reached.
Consider worst case loading. Maximum possible, not expected loading.
Clarify information with client
What are the challenges of Conceptual Design (3)?
Designing in 2D can inhibit creativity
Engineers are trained to be cautious - inhibits design,
Inspiration cant be forced.
