APSC 100 Final

Module 1

A) The Engineering Design Process

Engineering Design

Engineering Design is process used to solve real-world, open-ended problems.

Differs from Novice Designers that tend to use trial and error, and to jump right into trying to solve a problem before carefully thinking about it.

The Design Process

Stage 1: Study and Clarify Problem

• defining the problem to be solved, as well as learning about the problem context

• identify the needs of stakeholders and converting these needs into precise specification the design will address

Stage 2: Generating Potential Solutions

• concept generation; identify as many different solutions as possible

Stage 3: Identify Most Promising Solution

• apply design specifications from the first stage to screen out possible solutions that do not meet requirements, and then to rank and score remaining ideas to identify the one solution

  the design will invest their time and resources to develop.

Stage 4: Develop and Test Solution

• analyze, refine, and develop the solution selected in the previous stage using engineering tools(prototypes, simulations, calculations), science and math, and consultations with stakeholders.

Stage 5: Implement Solution

• involves the final constructions, communications, and delivery of the solution to the design problem.

Iteration

• new ideas, perspectives, and information may come up which encourages or requires engineers to revisit and revise previous work

Why We Use The Design Process

Increases:

• the chance of finding a solution in the time available

• the quality of the final solution

• the chance of completing the project on time

• the chance of completing the project on budget

Cost: refers to money, effort, or other resources

Actual Costs: the cumulative total of money, effort, and resources we have spent up to a particular time as we complete the project

Costs committed: the sum of money, effort, and resources we have already spent plus those we will need to spend in the future based on our decisions to date

Costs committed > actual costs

B) Stage 1: Clarifying the Design Problem

Goal

The goal of the Stage 1 is to have a precise definition of what makes a solution acceptable and what makes one viable solution better or worse than another.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders: the people, groups, or organizations that are influenced by a project or can influence a project.

Salience: how prominent and important stakeholders are;

• Power: refers to a stakeholder’s ability to influence a project; ex. a regulatory body or a group funding a project

• Legitimacy: describes a stakeholder’s moral or legal right to have a say in the project; stakeholder groups impacted by a project generally have legitimacy; residents living next to a new waste treatment facility or users of a new product

• Urgency: describes how critical or time sensitive a stakeholder perceives their needs in a project to be.

Tertiary Stakeholder: fulfills only one aspect of saliency

Secondary Stakeholder: fulfills two aspects of saliency

Primary Stakeholder: fulfills all three aspects of saliency

Stakeholder Needs

Needs: capture the wants and wishes of the stakeholders and the things that will increase (and decrease) stakeholder satisfaction; tend to be vague and subjective, making them difficult to apply directly in design decision-making.

• Expressed needs: needs the stakeholders are aware of and freely share

• Latent needs: needs that would please stakeholders but that they might not be aware of.

• Threshold needs: needs stakeholders expect but might not think to mention

Target Design Specification

Target design specifications: the combination of requirements and evaluation criteria that give unambiguous, objective criteria to apply in design decision-making.

The requirements establish the limits of acceptability for potential designs, whereas the evaluation criteria are used to distinguish otherwise acceptable design as satisfactory, good, and great.

Requirements: the collection of minimal thresholds our design must achieve and the qualities or features it must have (or not have) in order to be considered acceptable to stakeholders.

• specific and quantifiable go/no go criteria

• requirements come from stakeholder needs

Evaluation Criteria: the attributes of importance to stakeholders that determine satisfaction beyond a design that minimally meets all requirements.

• evaluation criterion curve represents stakeholder satisfaction for a given attribute with 0% representing a minimally acceptable solution and 100% representing full satisfaction; can be linear or nonlinear, continuous or discrete

b) attributes like cost may have higher satisfaction for lower values of x

d) some attributes are discrete; ex, the number of application a device can run

Validation and Verification

Validation:

• confirming the target design specifications we have set accurately match stakeholder needs

• are we solving the correct problem?

• happens in Study and clarify problem (and potentially later)

Verification:

• checking if our solution being developed addresses the target design specifications

• did we solve the problem correctly?

• begins after we have a solution in mind, so stages following Identifying the most promising solution

C) Stage 2: Generating Potential Solutions

Goal

The goal of Stage 2 is to maximize the number and variety of potential solutions to our design problem.

Solution Space: the collection of all of the conceptual solutions we have identified.

Principles of Concept Generation

Focus on Quantity, Not Quality

• Avoid Fixation (also called anchoring): a focus on one idea rather than thinking broadly, it should be avoided.

Welcome Unconventional Ideas

• unconventional ideas can offer an innovative solution, or the inspiration for a different great idea, and should be encouraged

• create a large variety of ideas, not just a large number

Do Not Evaluate Ideas

• can be discouraging; inhibit open and free-flowing generation of ideas

Concept Generation Techniques

Brainstorming: a high energy approach to concept generation where ideas are quickly shared.

• Pros: fun, quick,

• Cons: most vocal members contribute most

C-Sketch: a structured form of brainstorming where each team member contributes in turn to each idea through sketching.

• Pros:

  • relies on sketches which improves the quality of ideas,

  • sketches make it easier for others to interpret and build on ideas,

  • maximize concept variety by starting with one unique idea per teammate;

  • multiple starting points and equal time given to each idea combats fixation;

  • structured pace, without talking ensures each team member has equal voice and input

D) Stage 3: Identify the Most Promising Solution

Goal

The goal of Stage 3 is to identify the once conceptual solution that we will use as the basis for our final design. Quickly and efficiently moving from a large number of concepts to the one concept that has the most potential to succeed in the project.

Principles of Concept Generation

Screening

The process of removing any concepts that cannot be made to meet all requirements.

• concepts that are screened out should be set aside, not discarded. In the event that a requirement changes, you may need to go back and repeat the screening process.

Ranking

The process of qualitatively comparing ideas in order to narrow down to a small number worth investigating further.

• before removing an idea in ranking, a team should try to make it work better, or try to extract positive elements.

Methods:

• Individual voting: each team member casts a set number of votes for the concept they believe best address the evaluation criteria.

• Pairwise comparison: comparing each concept against every other concept, one at a time, trying to find the ones that are favoured most often. Favoured - 1, Tie - ½ Loss - 0

• Criterion-based ranking: each concept is qualitatively evaluated using the evaluation criteria. A concept expected to perform better than average gains a point, below if less than average, 0 if average.

Scoring

A detailed and resource-intensive process to quantitatively evaluate a small number of ideas.

Methods:

• Weighted Decision Matrix: a common tool used in scoring based on rating multiple options against each evaluation criterion with a weight applied.

• Sensitivity Analysis: a process where weights and scores are adjusted in a WDM to assess the consistency of the results

E) Prototypes and Rapid Prototyping

Prototyping

Prototype: a physical or virtual model that represents all or part of a design

Prototype Classification

Focused Prototype: a prototype that represents only a limited number of elements of the final design

Comprehensive Prototype: a prototype that represents all elements of a final design

Physical Prototype: a prototype that physically exists in the same way as the final design

Virtual Prototype: a prototype that is not a full physical manifestation of the final design

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping relies on computers to produce physical models utilizing CAD.

Waterjet

• combines high-pressure water with a fine abrasive material to cut through almost any material including metal, glass, ceramics, concrete, plastics, wood, and other composite material.

• Limitations

  • typically only cuts flat, 2D shapes

  • nearly impossible to control the depth of cutting

  • material will get wet

Laser Cutter

• laser can cut materials with sub-millimetre accuracy through materials of different thicknesses.

• Limitations

  • restricted to cutting flat shapes in 2D

  • produce gases and particulates

  • requires lots of power to cut thicker, tougher material

3D-Printers

• deposits small layers of melted plastic

• can make full 3D objects

• create objects as shown in CAD

  Fused Deposition Modelling

  • plastic is melted and deposited on a shape in strips, built layer by later

  Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

  • uses lasers to fuse powdered material together into a solid form

  • tends to form better results than fused deposition modelling

• Limitations

  • slow

  • materials are limited

  • can’t be too thin or have unsupported features

F) Technical Communication

Communication (Audience, Purpose, Context)

Audience: considerations of what the person or group your communication is directed to already known, needs to know, and wants to know

Purpose: your objectives and goals behind your communication; two purposes:

• Inform: describe review, instruct, explain, demonstrate

• Persuade: convince, influence, recommend, change, justify

Context: considerations for your communication including the format used, location, time, and other special factors.

Presentations

• the title on a slide should be descriptive and reflect slide content

• different font style or text colour can be used to highlight or differentiate information on a slide, but don’t let it be too distracting!

• opt for high contrast between the text and background

• beware of distracting elements (design, themes, other visual elements that do not add information)

Assertion-Evidence: states the key point and then supports that with data, visuals, and other evidence.

• body language, eye contact, dress and behaviour are important in delivering an oral presentation.

Module 2

A) Scales + Systems

Considerations of Scale

Scale: the extent we are using to view a system, from small to large.

Spatial Scale: a scale based on the physical extent of a system.

Temporal Scale: a scale based on time, from now to the distant future

Organizational Scale: a scale based on organizational structures (such as with government), from local/municipal to international

Systems

Deterministic: a problem or system free of randomness; the output for a given input will always be the same

Simple System: a system with a small number of elements and predictable behaviour (deterministic)

Complex System: a system with multiple interacting elements, randomness, and feedback (non-deterministic)

C) Sustainability + CLD

Sustainability

Sustainability: the capacity of human civilization and the earth’s natural systems to co-exist indefinitely.

Three Dimensions of Sustainability

Environment

• clean air and water

• biodiversity

• conservation

• emission reductions

Society

• health

• safety

• human rights

• education

• opportunity

Economy

• employment

• prosperity

• trade

• business

• innovation

Bearable: a solution that meets both societal and environmental goals

Viable: a solution that addresses both environmental and economic goals

Equitable: a solution that addresses both societal and economic goals

Sustainable: a solution that addresses environmental , societal, and economic goals.

Context: the relevant factors in a problem that influence our stakeholder consultation and the suitability of a potential solution

Four Principles of Sustainability

1. Avoid removing materials from the earth at a rate faster than they are naturally replenished

2. Avoid making things and releasing substances at a rate faster than they naturally break down

3. Avoid degrading ecosystems at a rate faster than they can naturally regrow

4. As a society, move towards happiness, well-being, and meeting the needs of all people

Causal Loop Diagrams

Causal Loop Diagram (CLD): a diagram of system consisting of variables (nodes) and feedback loops.

Reinforcing Loop: a feed-back loop in which an initial change in a variable is amplified through one cycle of the loop

Balancing Loop: a feedback loop in which one cycle of the loop counteracts (opposes) an initial change to one variable in the loop

D) The Engineering Profession

Profession and Regulation

Profession: a group of individuals widely recognized by the public, who:

• possess specialized knowledge or skills

• have received special education or training

• adhere to ethical standards

• apply their knowledge and skills in the interest of others

Engineering is a profession because it requires specialized skills and knowledge acquired though special training, there is a set of ethical standards, and work is done in the interests of others.

Code of Ethics:

• describes principles and values rather than specific actions

• do not necessarily cease to apply when members leave work

Becoming an Engineer

• iron pin at UBC! mirrors the professional and ethical reminders of the iron ring

→ Engineering Student

• Graduate from an engineering program accredited by Engineers Canada

• receive an iron ring

• iron ring: serves as a reminder to engineers of their obligation to uphold the high standards of engineering, to act ethically, and to protect the public

→ Engineering Graduate

• Gain work experience, typically 3-4 years, under the supervision of a Professional Engineer.

→Engineering in Training (EIT)

• Pass a professional practice exam on engineering law, ethics, and the profession

→ Professional Engineer

• receive a seal which allows you to stamp documents and drawings to assure the work being done meets the standards of a competent engineer. signifies responsibility for that work

F) Technical Communication 1

Communication (Audience, Purpose, Context)

Audience: considerations of what the person or group your communication is directed to already known, needs to know, and wants to know

Purpose: your objectives and goals behind your communication; two purposes:

• Inform: describe review, instruct, explain, demonstrate

• Persuade: convince, influence, recommend, change, justify

Context: considerations for your communication including the format used, location, time, and other special factors.

Presentations

• the title on a slide should be descriptive and reflect slide content

• different font style or text colour can be used to highlight or differentiate information on a slide, but don’t let it be too distracting!

• opt for high contrast between the text and background

• beware of distracting elements (design, themes, other visual elements that do not add information)

Assertion-Evidence: states the key point and then supports that with data, visuals, and other evidence.

• body language, eye contact, dress and behaviour are important in delivering an oral presentation.

Module 3

A) Stress and Strength

Stress (σ)

• Force distributed uniformly across a cross-sectional area

• N/m² (pascals)

A cable will break when the experience stress of a material is greater than the material’s strength (ultimate tensile strength): stress > strength

Deformation

Elastic Deformation: change in shape due to applied force is temporary.

Plastic Deformation (yield): change in shape due to applied force is permanent.

Permanent change in shape

To avoid permanent deformation stress < yield strength < ultimate tensile strength

B) Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas

Ethics, Morals, Values

Ethics: organized and agreed-upon principles of conduct for a group; the study of standards of right and wrong

Morals: widely held societal values regarding right and wrong

Values: Subjective beliefs and standards individuals use to judge right from wrong and good from bad.

Ethical Theories

Duty Ethics: relatively inflexible ethical theory that says we should all behave the same way in all circumstances; we should always do what is good and right according to societal values, morals and codes of ethics; the ends do not justify the means.

Utilitarianism: maximizes benefits for the greatest number of people, minimizing harms, and fairly distributing both.

Rights Ethics: decisions should be based on protecting the rights of others; rights such as freedom of expression and belief, and the right to life, etc.

Dilemmas and Conflicts of Interest

Dilemma: a difficult decision where no alternative is clearly preferable - each has some consequence

Conflict of Interest: a situation where you could personally benefit from work you do for your client or employer

Gradual Escalation: a process for resolving dilemmas in which small, low risk actions are attempted first and then followed by larger actions as needed

C) Technical Communication 2

The 7 C’s

Clear: easy to follow and understand, using appropriate language choices and structure

Correct: is factually accurate, and is free from formatting, spelling, grammatical, and other errors

Concise: is brief and to the point, but without loss of meaning

Concrete: is detailed, specific, and vividm with the intended message evident

Complete: contains the information the audience needs, including what is expected of them

Courteous: is polite, friendly, and sincere; shows general respect for the audience

Considerate: is empathetic and mindful; takes the specific audience and their reaction into account

Feedback

Appreciation: acknowledge a job well done

Coaching: help someone improve

Evaluation: rate someone’s performance against standards

Concrete Feedback:

• give specifics

• avoid judgemental language

• focus on observable facts

Complete Feedback

• consider presenting suggestions

• consider how the feedback may start a conversation to help resolve the issue

Considerate Feedback

• provide suggestions of changes that are achievable

• phrase in terms relevant to the receiver

Technical Memos and Elevator Pitches

Technical Memo: a form of concise written communication used within an organization

Elevator Pitch: a very short (and often impromptu) presentation used to generate interest and a follow-up meeting on a topic

• describe the problem or issue you are considering

• describe how your solution or idea addresses the problem or issue

• explain why it is important from the audience’s perspective

Engineering Specialties

Biomedical Engineering BME

• lies at the intersection of engineering, biology, medicine, life sciences, computer sciences(computation), and mathematics.

Chemical / Biomedical Engineering CHBE

• integrates mainly chemistry with biology, physics, and math

• design and implement processes to change raw materials into vital everyday products

Civil Engineering

• oversee the deign, construction, and maintenance of both human and naturally built environments

• involved in earthquake, structural, transportation, and municipal infrastructure

Computer Engineering

• design, test, and implement software and the hardware of devices and the integration of computers into larger systems

• focuses on designing and integrating complete systems consisting of hardware and software elements

Electrical Engineering

• apply physics and mathematics to design devices and systems involving electricity

• focuses on aspects from electronic properties of microscopic devices to the generation and distribution of power in electric power grids

Engineering Physics

• combines the practical aspects of engineering with a deeper theoretical foundation in physics and mathematics

• blends the analytical rigor of a science degree with the practical training of an engineering degree

Environmental Engineering

• primarily focus on improving and maintaining the quality of air, land, water, and living systems.

Geological Engineering

• draw from a foundation in geology, geomechanics, hydrology, and environmental science to solve engineering projects on large-scale infrastructure, natural resources, or in environmental protection and remediation.

• requires an understanding of the natural environment, and in particular soil, rock, and groundwater

Manufacturing Engineering

• applies foundations in material science, computer science, and mechanics for the design, operation, and optimization of production processes, from beginning to end.

Materials Engineering

• specializes in the design, manufacture, and evaluation of both everyday materials, and new highly engineered materials by applying physical and chemical processes

Mechanical Engineering

• diverse field of engineering which applies a foundation in physics to focus on the design and development of mechanical systems

• covers areas ranging from product design, energy, aerospace, robotics, biomedical, automobiles, manufacturing, and building systems

Mining Engineering

• involves extracting and processing valuable resources from the earth

Integrated Engineering

• focuses on cross-disciplinary engineering, often with an emphasis on design, to solve multidisciplinary problems and intersections between traditional disciplines

University Learning

A) Mindset and Grit

Growth Mindset: intelligence, ability, and personality can be developed with effort

Neuroplasticity: the brain can grow and restructure itself

Fixed Mindset: we are born with certain traits and qualities which cannot be changed

B) Perspectives

Blooms Taxonomy

Remembering: remembering some information

Understanding: understanding the meaning of some information

Applying: apply facts, rules, and concepts to do something useful

Analyzing: breaking down information into component parts and to use those parts

Evaluating: developing, applying, and defending some criteria or information with no single right answer

Creating: combining parts to make something new

Perry’s Scheme

Black and Right → Everything is Grey → Solutions depend on context

Study Strategies related to bloom and perry

1. Identify Learning Level

2. Chose activities that are challenging

3. Shift to higher levels to add challenge and depth

4. Concept map to construct meaning and relationships

C) Neuroscience

Neuroscience and Learning

Myelin:

• coats neurons acting as insulators for neural signals; makes recalling info learned more reliable and quicker;

• is built due by repeated activity of a neuron and sleep

Deliberate Practice

1. Challenge: attempt something just outside your current ability

2. Focus: work at a high intensity without distraction, for a short time

3. Feedback: learn from what you did right and what you did wrong

4. Refine: reflect on whats been learned and what still needs to be learned; repeat this process again and again

D) Memory

Information → some is stored in short term memory → to hold onto this information we must keep revisiting it; "maintenance” → to store this information longer it must be organized into long term memory → if we want to access this info, it must be retrieved into short term memory

I GIVE UP WITH THESE ITS SO BROIUNG

E) Stages of Team Development

Forming:

• teams first comes together

Storming:

• teams begin to experience conflict and competition

• power struggles

Norming:

• team is able to work together without constant conflict and disagreement

• developed strong sense of belong and trust

Performing:

• team has established itself as a cohesive unit

Adjourning

• bye bye team