the engineering design process

Question 1

what is engineering design

Answer 1

a systematic process used to solve complex problems, a non-linear process that often requires several iterations before a solution is found, the essence of all engineering disciplines

Question 2

the 10 step engineering design process

Answer 2

identification of a need. problem definition. search. constraints. criteria. alternative solutions. analysis. decision. specification. communication.

Question 3

1. 2.identification of a need

Answer 3

“there must be a better way”, identified through customer surveys, changes in gov’t regulations, marketing research, adverse effects caused by meeting other need, assignments/projects from superiors

Question 4

2. problem definition

Answer 4

the goal is to understand the problem not to solve it. think about the need from the customer’s point of view. what are the functions and features desired by customer

Question 5

3. search

Answer 5

need to understand as much as possible about the problem in order to solve it…is there are current solution? does it work? cost? will people pay for a better solution?

Question 6

4. constraints

Answer 6

define practical limitations: cost, safety, efficiency, ease of manufacture, etc…do not over restrict as it will be difficult to find solution…limits to the design that are used to evaluate the possible solutions…aka upper & lower limits of boundary conditions

Question 7

5. criteria

Answer 7

used to rank possible solutions, the attributes that the design must posses to be considered a success. the design team must agree on what criteria to use and decide the importance (or weight) of each.

Question 8

6. alternate solutions

Answer 8

commonl referred to as brainstorming. requires a clear problem def. uses the following ground rules: focus on quantity. withhold criticism. welcome unusuall ideas. combine and improve ideas

Question 9

7. analysis

Answer 9

each possible solution must be evaluated to determine its potential. mathematical and key engineering principles are used to gage the potential performance of each solution. engineering principles to remember: laws of nature, laws of economics, common sense. the criteria and constraints previously defined are also incorporated in the analysis process. may require modeling or building a prototype that can then be used in simulations or real world tests.

Question 10

8. decision

Answer 10

requires knowing as much as possible about each alternative solution. uses the info collected during the analysis pahse. the goal is to select the solution that best fits all the selected criteria

Question 11

8.decision: the decision matrix

Answer 11

quantitative technique used to rank multi-dimentsional options. has the advantage of taking subjective opinions about one alternative versus another and making them more objective

Question 12

9. specification

Answer 12

used to provide details about the chosen solution.

Question 13

10. communication

Answer 13

now you and the team must “sell the design” to upper management, companies, investors, end user/customer, etc