Engineering Design Process Involves analysis and synthesis Analysis Decompose problem into manageable parts Calculate as much about the part's behavior as possible, using appropriate disciplines in science, engineering and computational tools before the part exists in physical form Synthesis Identification of the design elements that comprise the product, how it is decomposed into parts and the combination of the part solutions into a total workable system Requires Systems Thinking!
Engineering Design Process • Involves analysis and synthesis • Analysis – Decompose problem into manageable parts – Calculate as much about the part’s behavior as possible, using appropriate disciplines in science, engineering and computational tools, before the part exists in physical form • Synthesis – Identification of the design elements that comprise the product, how it is decomposed into parts and the combination of the part solutions into a total workable system • Requires Systems Thinking! 6
Iterative Engineering Design Process Complex systems can be decomposed into a sequence of design processes General information Source Asimov 1962 Specific information Design operation GOTO NO Evaluation YES THE Feedback loop NEXT STEP Iteration repeated trials Gives opportunity to improve design on basis of preceding outcome More knowledgeable team may arrive at acceptable solutions faster Requires high tolerance of failure Requires determination to persevere and work out the problem Often involve tradeoffs and arrive at near-optimal solutions
• Complex systems can be decomposed into a sequence of design processes • Iteration → repeated trials – Gives opportunity to improve design on basis of preceding outcome – More knowledgeable team may arrive at acceptable solutions faster – Requires high tolerance of failure – Requires determination to persevere and work out the problem – Often involve tradeoffs and arrive at near-optimal solutions Iterative Engineering Design Process [Source: Asimov 1962] 7
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design 1. Defining the problem o Needs analysis, a difficult task o True problem not always what it seems at first o Requires iterative reworking as the problem is better understood o Problem statement must be as specific as possible 2. Gathering the information o Understand state of the art o Many sources of information, unstructured, unordered o Ask questions What do need to find out? Where can/find it? Howcan /getit? How credible and accurate is the information? How do /interpret the information formy specific need? When do i have enough information? What decisions resultfrom this information?
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design 1. Defining the problem o Needs analysis, a difficult task o True problem not always what it seems at first o Requires iterative reworking as the problem is better understood o Problem statement must be as specific as possible 2. Gathering the information o Understand state of the art o Many sources of information, unstructured, unordered o Ask questions ▪ What do I need to find out? ▪ Where can I find it? ▪ How can I get it? ▪ How credible and accurate is the information? ▪ How do I interpret the information for my specific need? ▪ When do I have enough information? ▪ What decisions result from this information? 8
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design(cont-1) 3. Generation for alternative solutions /design concepts o Use of creativity, simulation o apply scientific principles, use qualitative reasoning o Need to generate high-quality alternative solutions 4. Evaluation of alternatives and decision making o Selecting the best among several concepts o Often under incomplete information o May consider simulations o Very important> checking including mathematical check, engineering-sense checks(intuition) o Consider all conditions/situations(e.g. humdity vibration, temperature.in selecting"optimal"solution 5. Communication of the results o Oral /written communication o Engineering drawings, 3D computer models, software, etc
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design (cont-1) 3. Generation for alternative solutions / design concepts o Use of creativity, simulation o Apply scientific principles, use qualitative reasoning o Need to generate high-quality alternative solutions 4. Evaluation of alternatives and decision making o Selecting the best among several concepts o Often under incomplete information o May consider simulations o Very important → checking, including mathematical check, engineering-sense checks (intuition) o Consider all conditions / situations (e.g. humdity, vibration, temperature…) in selecting “optimal” solution 5. Communication of the results o Oral / written communication, o Engineering drawings, 3D computer models, software, etc. 9
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design(cont-2) ·| terative nature Back and forth among the 5 steps Understanding grows> evolve from preliminary to detailed design Define problem Gather Information Generate Alternative solutions Evaluate alternatives and make decision Communicate results
Problem-solving Methodology for Engineering Design (cont-2) • Iterative nature – Back and forth among the 5 steps – Understanding grows → evolve from preliminary to detailed design Define Problem Gather Information Generate Alternative Solutions Evaluate Alternatives and Make Decision Communicate Results 10