Engineering Design Process Notes

Engineering Design Process

Introduction

  • Many problems are solved by designing a product, such as a machine or computer code, that satisfies specific criteria or accomplishes a task.

Scientific Method vs. Engineering Design Process

  • Scientific Method: Used for projects involving observation and experimentation.
  • Engineering Design Process: Used for projects focused on designing, building, and testing.

Scientific Method Steps

  • Ask a Question
  • Do Background Research
  • Construct a Hypothesis
  • Test with an Experiment
    • If the procedure doesn't work, troubleshoot and check all steps.
  • Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions
    • If Results Align with Hypothesis: Communicate Results.
    • If Results Align Partially or Not at All with Hypothesis: Experimental data becomes background research for a new/future project. Ask a new question, form a new hypothesis, and experiment again!

Engineering Design Process Steps

  • Define the Problem
  • Do Background Research
  • Specify Requirements
  • Brainstorm, Evaluate, and Choose Solution
  • Develop and Prototype Solution
  • Test Solution
    • If the solution doesn't meet requirements, make design changes, prototype, test again, and review new data.
  • Communicate Results

Engineering Design Process

  • The engineering design process is a series of steps engineers use to find a solution to a problem.
  • The design process is iterative: Steps are repeated as needed, with improvements made along the way based on failures and new design possibilities.

Iterative Process

  • The engineering design process is both iterative and incremental.

Engineering Design Process Steps (Sphero)

  • DEFINE: Define the Problem & ask why is this a problem.
  • IMAGINE: Imagine Potential Solutions in the Real World.
  • PLAN: Plan your idea.
  • PROTOTYPE: Prototype Your Design.
  • TEST: Test Your Prototype.
  • IMPROVE: Improve and Iterate on Your Design.

STEP 1: Define the Problem

  • Asking the right questions is crucial.
  • Consider the pain point or need, who experiences it, and why it should be solved, taking into account existing solutions.
  • Need Finding: Identifying needs by observing the world.

Defining the Problem

  • Engineers solve problems by creating new products, systems, or environments.
  • Defining the problem is crucial; otherwise, the solution might not meet the original goal.
  • Charles F. Kettering: "A problem well stated is a problem half-solved."

Key Questions to Define a Problem

  • What is the problem or need?
  • Who has the problem or need?
  • Why is it important to solve?

Problem Statement Template

  • Template: [Who] need(s) [what] because [why].
    • Who = user
    • What = need
    • Why = insight

Example Problem Statements

  • Students need an easier way to lock their lockers at school, because combination locks are hard to unlock and often get jammed.
  • Dogs need a way to go to the bathroom inside homes, because dogs don't like to go outside in bad weather, and there are times when people can't take their dogs outdoors.
  • Teachers need a better way to erase chalkboards, because erasers are messy and don't remove all of the chalk.
  • Parents need a way to store lunchboxes in the refrigerator, because they often make their children's lunches the night before school.

Evaluating a Problem Statement

  • The problem is the cornerstone of the engineering design project.
    • The problem should be interesting.
    • There should be at least three sources of written information and similar products to analyze.
    • The problem is specific enough to design a solution.

Considerations for Engineering Projects

  • Can you measure whether your solution is better than what already exists? (e.g., cheaper, faster)
  • Can you design a solution that is safe to build, use, store, and dispose of?
  • Do you have the necessary materials and equipment, or can you obtain them affordably?
  • Do you have enough time to complete the design?
  • Does your project meet all the rules and requirements?

STEP 2: Ask

  • Ask questions about the problem.
    • What problem is being solved?
    • Who is this product being designed for?
    • Why is a solution to this problem important?

Idea Web Example

  • Includes problem statement, requirements, constraints, target audience, and questions

Brainstorming & Research

  • Brainstorm potential solutions.
  • List as many possible solutions to maximize options.
  • Research existing solutions for similar problems to generate new ideas.

Creativity and Research Skills

  • Focus is on generating a list of answers, not finding the right answer.

STEP 3: Imagine

  • Work with a team to brainstorm ideas and develop as many solutions as possible.
  • Imagine how these solutions will work.
  • Many ideas will be rejected during this step.
  • Sketch out a few designs to narrow down the list.

Brainstorming Guidelines

  • Focus on quantity
  • Capture as many ideas
  • Withhold criticism
  • Encourage wild ideas
  • Write everything down as it comes
  • Build upon the ideas
  • Combine ideas
  • Stay Focused

STEP 4: Plan

  • Revisit needs, constraints, and research.
  • Compare your best ideas.
  • Select one solution.
  • Create a plan to move forward.

Engineering Analysis

  • Analysis distinguishes an engineer from a technician.
  • Engineering analysis helps us make decisions and guide the design process.

Engineering Analysis Definition

  • Breaking down an object, system, or problem into its fundamental parts to understand their relationships to each other and outside elements.

Problem and Solutions Examples

  • Problem: Reduce the number of car accidents during rush-hour traffic.
    • Solution 1: Expand roads and highways.
    • Solution 2: Build more bike routes.
    • Solution 3: Design a new subway system.

Solution Analyses

  • Considerations for expanding roads and highways:
    • How many new stoplights should be constructed?
    • How many lanes do we need?
    • How much money will it cost to maintain these new roads?
    • Will many trees need to be cut down? If so, will this displace birds and other wildlife?

Refining the Solution

  • Refine and improve the solution.
  • Break down the path to solving the problem into smaller steps.
  • Iterate or improve on a design and revisit this step each time.

Design Considerations

  • Cost
  • Health and Safety
  • Size and Weight
  • Appearance / Look
  • Materials and Components
  • Performance (Speed/Accuracy)
  • Technology
  • Etc.

Value Proposition

  • Quickly shape alternative directions for your value proposition.

Value Proposition Template

  • Our [Products and Services] help(s) [Customer Segment] who want to [jobs to be done] by [verb (e.g., reducing, avoiding) and a customer pain] (unlike [competing value proposition]) and [verb (e.g., increasing, enabling) and a customer gain].

Value Proposition Examples

  • Our Taxi Smartphone App help(s) Taxi passengers who want to book a taxi by minimizing waiting time for a taxi and enjoying affordable prices (unlike Typical taxi services by phone).

STEP 5: Create / Prototype

  • Building a prototype makes your ideas real.
  • Early versions help verify whether the design meets the original challenge objectives.

Prototyping

  • Prototypes are early samples, models, or releases of products built to test a concept or process.

Purpose of Prototyping

  • To assess whether a product solves its users' problems.
  • Designers create an almost-working model or mock-up called a prototype, and test it with prospective users and stakeholders.

Implementation of Prototyping

  • Build simple, small-scale prototypes of your products.
  • Prototypes can be of any form.

Types of Prototypes

1. Sketches and Diagrams
  • The most basic form of prototyping involves sketching out an initial idea on paper.
  • Paper prototypes are a useful starting point for conceptualising an idea for a new product. These allow ideas to be shared so that a design can be formalised for later development.
2. Physical Models
  • Physical prototypes can range from simple paper-based designs through to more complex versions.
  • These offer a rough idea of a design and show a scaled down version of a concept ahead of the creation of a larger scale model.
  • Used for a range of different designs, these are particularly well suited to smaller objects, but can be used for larger projects such as architectural designs.
3. 3D Printing and Rapid Modelling
  • 3D printing has revolutionised prototyping, allowing engineers to create realistic production design models quickly.
  • These 3D models mean that businesses can identify any flaws or areas for development and move quickly towards the production phase.
  • These prototypes can be adjusted and new versions created, allowing for rapid testing and simplifying and reducing large designs into a more manageable scale.
4. Wireframes
  • Wireframes are digital diagrams or layouts of a product, commonly used for software, websites or other digital assets to present a visual information architecture blueprint.
  • They allow designers and other project workers to navigate a digital structure and place content as well as assess a user interface and user flows, allowing for later usability testing to find any usability issues.
  • Such digital representations can be presented as low or high fidelity prototypes.

STEP 6: Test and Evaluate

  • Does it work? Does it solve the need? Communicate the results and get feedback.
  • Analyze and talk about what works, what doesn't and what could be improved.

STEP 7: Improve

  • Discuss how you could improve your solution.
  • Make revisions. Draw new designs.
  • Iterate your design to make your product the best it can be.
  • Repeat!