Mechanical Design

Lecture 1
15/05/2024

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this lecture, students are expected to:
• Describe the total design activity
• Recognise the iterative steps associated with the design process
• Explain the considerations for a mechanical design
• Recognise the scope of machine elements available

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design of Mechanical Systems (DoMS)
• System
• Different elements arranged to work together as a whole
• Design
• Formulation of a plan to satisfy a particular need
• Engineering Design
• The application of science and engineering methods to prescribe a
component/system
• Must be in sufficient detail to permit its realization
• Mechanical
• Pertaining to machines and tools (machinery)
BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems
Some Simple Designs Used in Healthcare

Slider board Slider sheet

Sit-to-stand lift

Bag ventilator
Bed trapeze (monkey bar) Mechanical lift

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design Aim: Product
• What factors contribute to
the success or failure of a
product?
• Product Design
• Specification of the product

• Production
• Realisation of the product

• Business
• Monetisation of the product

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design Aim: Product
• Product Design
• Function (what does the product
do)

• Form (what makes up the

structure)

• Materials

• Manufacturing processes

• Measures of effectiveness
• Product cost, quality and time to
market

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design Process
• Goal
• To have an optimum design of a system or device within specified constraints
• Size
• Shape
• Materials selection
• Manufacturing process

• Output
• Performs intended function
• No failure
Over-the-wall design, Ullman (2010)

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Goals: Good Design
• Core principles of mechanical design
• Functionality
• Strength
• Durability
• Efficiency

• A good design is assumed to meet certain goals:

• Performance
• Aesthetics
• Cost
• Robustness (Quality)

• Depends on limitless number of variables

• Decision-making (reduce to few variables)
• Knowledge
• Experience

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process
• Common to all disciplines in
engineering
• Can be modified to suit
individual problems

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Result of the Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Engineering Design Process
• Previous slides (12-19) prepared from:
• Garratt J. (1991). Design and Technology. Cambridge University
Press.
• Chapter 1

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Synthesis and Analysis
• Form the bulk of work done during mechanical design
• Synthesis
• Putting together of the solution
• Most challenging/interesting aspect
• Combines separate parts to form the complex whole

• Analysis
• Ensuring the concept meets specifications
• Effects of the part on the whole
• Detailed design
• Failure requires re-synthesis

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design Analysis
• Objective:
• Attempt to predict the stress or deformation in the component

• Methods
• Mechanics of materials theory
• Elasticity theory

• Principles
• Statics
• Equations of equilibrium must be satisfied
• Deformations
• Stress-strain or force-deformation relations must apply to the behaviour of the material
• Geometry
• Each deformed part of the member must fit together with adjacent parts

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Product Design Specification

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Computational Tools
• Useful tools for detailed design and analysis
• Calculators
• Spreadsheets and equation solvers
• Computer-aided design software
• For visualising without costly models, iterations or prototypes
• Enables systematic analysis of design components or system as a whole

• Allow user to document and save completed work in detailed form

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Mechanical Design (Component)
• Technical considerations:
• Stress-strain strength relationships
• Of the bulk of the solid member
• Geometry, size, material properties, etc.

• Surface phenomena
• Friction, wear, lubrication
• Environmental degradation

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Mechanical Design (Component)
• Some machine elements that are of interest
• Bearings
• Gears, belts and chains
SCOPE
• Seals • Energy conversion
• Clutches and brakes • Energy transmission
• Energy storage
• Springs • Locating
• Fasteners • Friction reduction
• Switching
• Enclosures • Sensors
• Etc.
• Microcontrollers

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Design Considerations
• Things the engineer must make decisions on to achieve desired goal

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Challenges in Mechanical Design
• Complexity
• Cost management
• Innovation
• Sustainability

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Future Trends in Mechanical Design
• Automation (AI and Machine Learning)
• Sustainable Materials
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration*

Werk24 (https://werk24.io/)

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Code of Ethics for Engineers
• Canon 1:

“Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public in the performance of their professional duties”

http://www.mtengineers.org/pd/NSPECodeofEthics.pdf
https://www.nspe.org/

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

Safety Guidelines
• National Safety Council (www.nsc.org)
• Eliminate hazards and minimize risk
• Incorporate safety devices
• Provide warning devices
• Develop safe operating procedures
• Train
• Use protective equipment

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems

References/Recommended Reading
• Ullman, D. The Mechanical Design Process. McGraw-Hill Education; 2009.
• Haik, Y., Shahin, T.M. and Sivaloganathan, S. Engineering Design Process.
Cengage Learning; 2010
• Norton, R.L. Machine Design: An Integrated Approach. Pearson Prentice Hall;
2006.
• Juvinall, R.C. and Marshek, K.M. Fundamentals of Machine Component Design,
5th Edition. John Wiley & Sons; 2011.
• Childs, P.R.N. and Design, D. Mechanical Design, 2nd edition. Elsevier; 2004

BMEN 308: Design of Mechanical Systems