CHAPTER 3

Concept Generation and

Evaluation
MEC332 MECHANICAL ENG. DESIGN
Note : PLEASE KEEP QUIET and PAY 100%
ATTENTION
 CONCEPT

An idea that is sufficiently developed to evaluate

the physical principles that govern its behaviour.
Once the function is understood, there are many
methods to generate concepts to satisfy them.
Concepts are the means for providing function
 Verbal or
textual
description

Sketches
Block diagram

Paper or
Concept can be clay models
represented by :
Or any form that can
show how the function
can be achieved
 6-3-5
Brainstorming method

Method to
generate design
concept :
Finding idea in
reference books
Synectic and journal

Using expert
 BRAINSTORMING
A method used by design teams to generate large quantity of
ideas
It is a good activity rather than individual
Provides a free and open environment that encourages
everyone to participate
The topic should be specific and stated clearly
 Way of sorting
ideas
Criticism is not allowed
Ideas should be generated by the group
Record all the ideas
Generate as many ideas as possible
Think wild, silly and crazy idea are welcome
Six Key Questions:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
 The study of
shape and
form

Method for
MORPHOLOGICAL representing and
METHOD exploring all the
It is way to relationship in
investigate multidimensional
alternative problem
solutions
Concept Generation Method
Bicycle
Physical
Decomposition
Wheels Frame Seat Brakes Gears
Example:
Bicycle
Rim Spokes Tire Retrieve from Engineering Design,G.E. Dieter and Linda C. Schmidt, 4th Edition,
McGraw-Hill, 2009
Concept Generation
Method
Energy Material Signal

Human Solid Tactile

Hydraulic Gas Taste

Pneumatic Liquid Visual

Electrical Mixture Auditory

 Functional
decomposition

Concept produces a
diagram called
a function

Generation structure.

Method A function
structure is a
This type of block diagram
function structure depicting flows of
(a single function Functional
Decomposition energy, material,
block) is called a and signal as
black box labeled arrows
representation of a taking paths
device. between function
blocks.

The most general

function structure
is a single
function block
description of a
device.
 MORPHOLOGICAL METHODS
Step 1 & 2
1. Establish concepts for each
function.
- To create as many concepts as
possible for each of the function
identified in the decomposition
2. List the methods to be used for
each function.
Step 3 Step 4
3. Draw chart containing the 4. Identify possible combinations
possible solutions.
- To bind the individual concepts
- The chart called morphological into complete conceptual design
chart
- Constructed form the functional
list
MORPHOLOGICAL
CHARTS
EXAMPLE :
AUTOMATIC TOOTHBRUSH
 MORPHOLOGICAL CHARTS

EXAMPLE : VEGETABLE COLLECTION SYSTEM

 MORPHOLOGICAL CHARTS

EXAMPLE : VEGETABLE
COLLECTION SYSTEM
MORPHOLOGICAL
CHARTS

EXAMPLE :
DESIGN OF A NEW
CHAIR
 A scoring
method used
to compare
and select the
best solution
from an
option set

CONCEPT
Allows
OF PUGH Help
determine
comparing
different
METHOD which
potential
concepts, solutions are
processes, much value
products or compared to
services others
 Steps of Pugh Chart

Choose the
criteria by which Formulate the Clarify the design Choose the
the concepts will decision matrix concept datum concept
be evaluated

Examine the
Complete the Evaluate the selected concept
matrix entries ratings for improvement
opportunities
Example Of Pugh Chart
Staple Gun
Ice-Cream Maker
Automatic Pet Feeder
Ratcheting Screwdriver
Tablet