CONCEPTS IN ENGINEERING DESIGN

MODULE-2
Basic Module in Design Process (A simplified
iteration model)
•There is no single universally acclaimed sequence of
steps that leads to a workable design.
General
information

Specific
information Design Outcome
operation

Yes Go to
No the next
Evaluation
step
Feedback loop
Information:
 Acquisition of information is a vital and often very difficult step in
the design process. But, it is a step that usually becomes easier
with experience.
 For the successful operation, it requires information such as:

(i) General technical and business information that is expected of the

trained professional.
(ii) Very specific information, a few examples of the specific
information are:
(1) A manufacturer’s catalogue on miniature bearings,

(2) Handbook data on the properties of polymer composites,

(3) Personal experience gained from a trip to observe a new

manufacturing process.
Evaluation
 The design outcome must be evaluated, often by a team of
impartial experts, to decide whether it is adequate to meet
the need. If so, the designer may go on to the next step.
 If the evaluation uncovers deficiencies, then the design
operation must be repeated. The information from the first
design is fed back as input, together with new information
that has been developed as a result of questions raised at
the evaluation step. We call this iteration.
 The need to go back and try again should not be considered
a personal failure or weakness. Design is an intellectual
process, and all new creations of the mind are the result of
trial and error.
 The iterative nature of design provides an opportunity to
improve the design on the basis of a preceding outcome.
That, in turn, leads to the search for the best possible
technical condition
 However, the goal of many design projects is not the
creation of new hardware or systems. Instead, the
goal may be the development of new information
that can be used elsewhere in the organization.
 It should be realized that few system designs are
carried through to completion; they are stopped
because it has become clear that the objectives of the
project are not technically and/or economically
feasible.
 Regardless, the system design process creates new
information which, if stored in retrievable form, has
future value, since it represents experience.
Design process / operation
Comparison between scientific and
design methods
Science is concerned with creating knowledge about naturally
occurring phenomena and objects.
Thus, science is based on studies of the observed.
Design is concerned with creating knowledge about
phenomena and objects of the artificial.
The design method starts with knowledge of the state of the
art. That includes scientific knowledge, but it also includes
devices, components, materials, manufacturing methods, and
market and economic conditions.

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Problem solving methodology
Designing can be approached as attaining solution to a
problem.
This problem-solving method can be used at any point in
the design process, whether at the conception of a product
or the design of a component.
 A problem-solving methodology that is useful in design
consists of the following steps.
i. Definition of the problem
ii. Gathering of information
iii. Generation of alternative solutions
iv. Evaluation of alternatives and decision making
v. Communication of the results
(i) Definition of the problem
The most critical step in the solution of a problem is the
problem definition or formulation.
The true problem is not always what it seems at first glance.
because this step seemingly requires such a small part of the
total time to reach a solution, its importance is often
overlooked.
The formulation of the problem should start by writing down
a problem statement. It should include objectives and goals, the
current state of affairs and the desired state, any constraints
placed on solution of the problem, and the definition of any
special technical terms.
Problem definition often is called needs analysis
The design depends on the viewpoint of the individual who
defines the problem.
Definition of the problem
(ii) Gathering of information
Your assigned problem may be in a technical area in which
you have no previous background, and you may not have even a
single basic reference on the subject.
Textbooks, Technical reports, company reports & literature,
trade journals, patents, catalogs, handbooks, discussions with
experts and Internet, etc are important sources of information.
At the other extreme you may be presented with a mountain
of reports of previous work, and your task will be to keep from
drowning in paper.
 Whatever the situation, the immediate task is to identify the
needed pieces of information and find or develop that
information.
The following are some of the questions concerned with
obtaining information:

 What do I need to find out?

 Where can I find it and how can I get it?
 How credible and accurate is the information?
 How should the information be interpreted for my specific
need?
When do I have enough information?
What decisions result from the information?
(iii) Generation of alternative solutions
Generating alternative solutions or design concepts involves
the use of creativity, stimulation methods, the application of
physical principles and qualitative reasoning, and the ability to
find and use information.

 Of course, experience helps greatly in this task.

 The ability to generate high-quality alternative solutions is

vital to a successful design.
(iv) Evaluation of alternatives and decision making
The evaluation of alternatives involves systematic
methods for selecting the best among several concepts.
Design for manufacturing analyses and cost estimation
provide other important information.
Various other types of engineering analysis also provide
information.
Simulation of performance with computer models and
testing of full sized prototypes often provide critical data.
An important activity at every step in the design
process, but especially as the design nears completion, is
checking. In general, there are two types of checks that
can be made: mathematical checks and engineering-sense
checks.
Steps involved in decision making

Establish the classify the objectives

of decision making according to
importance

Develop alternative courses of action

Evaluate the alternatives against the

objectives

As tentative decision, consider the

alternative which performs best for
all the objectives

Examine the tentative decision for all

the possible adverse conditions

Improve tentative decision by

considering the effect of possible
adverse conditions
(v) Communication of results
• It must always be kept in mind that the purpose of the design is to satisfy the
needs of a customer or client.
•Therefore, the finalized design must be properly communicated, or it may lose
much of its impact or significance.
•The communication is not a one-time occurrence to be carried out at the end
of the project. In a well-run design project, there is continual oral and written
dialog between the project manager and the customer.

materials

Computer
programs
Engineering

Bill of
Written documents Models
drawings

Memorandum

computer
Design note
Electronic

Working
models
models
technical
reports
mails

Formal

reports

3D
books

Different communication mediums

THE DESIGN PARADOX BETWEEN DESIGN KNOWLEDGE
AND DESIGN FREEDOM

 At the beginning, the designer has the freedom to make

changes without great cost penalty, but may not know what to
do to make the design better.
 When the design team finally masters the problem, their
design is essentially frozen because of the great penalties
involved with a change.