Intro Engineering Design terms 2.2

abstraction

the result of removing characteristics from something in order to reduce it to a set of essential characteristics

color

the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light

proportion

the relationship of one thing to another in size, amount, etc.

balance

a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions

value

allows us to perceive shapes and the illusion of 2D & 3D objects

functional analysis

a step in reverse engineering which identifies the necessary activities or actions of components and subsystems to turn available inputs into desired outputs.

subsystems

a self-contained system within a larger system

black box

a device, system, or object which can be viewed in terms of its inputs and outputs, without any knowledge of its internal workings

top-down modeling

an assembly model is created as a system of parts that are parametrically modeled within the assembly

bottom-up modeling

individual parts are first modeled and specified individually and then assembled together

parametrically modeled

3D modeling where geometry is created with association to other geometry

subassembly

an assembly of parts that is used within a larger assembly

manufacture

to make something, especially on a large scale using machinery, tools, & labor

design for manufacturability

the method of design that considers the manufacturing of the parts or product design

design for assembly

the method of design of the product for ease of assembly

optimizing

making the best or most effective use of resources to get the best possible solution

reverse engineering

the process of taking something apart and analyzing its workings in detail

system

a group of interacting, interrelated, or independent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal

input

information or signals entered into a computer system

function

a relationship of one set (domain) to another set (range) that assigns each element of the domain to exactly one element of the range.

aesthetic

term used to talk about beauty or art and people's appreciation of beautiful things

form

having the three dimensions of length, width, and depth

shape

a two-dimensional contour that characterizes an object or area, in contrast to three-dimensional form

rhythm

a regularly occurring sequence of events or actions

accessory

an object or device that isn't essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else

Occam's Razor

the simplest solution is often the best solution because unnecessary design elements often decrease efficiency and introduce potential errors and unintended consequences.