Engineering design process

The engineering design process is a methodical seriesof steps that engineers use in creating functional productsand processes. The process is highly iterative - parts ofthe process often need to be repeated many times beforeproduction phase can be entered - though the part(s) thatget iterated and the number of such cycles in any givenproject can be highly variable.

It is a decision making process (ofteniterative) in which the basic sciences, mathe-matics, and engineering sciences are appliedto convert resources optimally to meet a statedobjective. Among the fundamental elementsof the design process are the establishmentof objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis,construction, testing and evaluationABET[1]

One framing of the engineering design process delineatesthe following stages: research, conceptualization, feasi-bility assessment, establishing design requirements, pre-liminary design, detailed design, production planning andtool design, and production.[2] The steps tend to get artic-ulated, subdivided, and/or illustrated in a variety of dif-ferent ways, but they generally reect certain core princi-ples regarding the underlying concepts and their respec-tive sequence and interrelationship.

1 Common Stages of the Engineer-ing Design Process

1.1 ResearchA signicant amount of time is spent on locating infor-mation and research.[3] Consideration should be given tothe existing applicable literature, problems and successesassociated with existing solutions, costs, and marketplaceneeds.[3]

The source of information should be relevant, includingexisting solutions. Reverse engineering can be an ef-fective technique if other solutions are available on themarket.[3] Other sources of information include the Inter-net, local libraries, available government documents, per-sonal organizations, trade journals, vendor catalogs andindividual experts available.[3]

1.2 FeasibilityAt rst, a feasibility study is carried out after whichschedules, resource plans and, estimates for the nextphase are developed. The feasibility study is an evalu-ation and analysis of the potential of a proposed projectto support the process of decision making. It outlines andanalyses alternatives or methods of achieving the desiredoutcome. The feasibility study helps to narrow the scopeof the project to identify the best scenario. A feasibilityreport is generated following which Post Feasibility Re-view is performed.The purpose of a feasibility assessment is to determinewhether the engineers project can proceed into the designphase. This is based on two criteria: the project needs tobe based on an achievable idea, and it needs to be withincost constraints. It is important to have engineers withexperience and good judgment to be involved in this por-tion of the feasibility study.[2]

1.3 ConceptualizationFollowing Feasibility, a concept study (conceptualization,conceptual engineering) is performed. A concept studyis the phase of project planning that includes producingideas and taking into account the pros and cons of im-plementing those ideas. This stage of a project is doneto minimize the likelihood of error, manage costs, assessrisks, and evaluate the potential success of the intendedproject.Once an engineering issue is dened, solutions must beidentied. These solutions can be found by using ideation,the mental process by which ideas are generated. Thefollowing are the most widely used techniques:[2]

trigger word - a word or phrase associated with theissue at hand is stated, and subsequent words andphrases are evoked.

morphological chart - independent design character-istics are listed in a chart, and dierent engineeringsolutions are proposed for each solution. Normally,a preliminary sketch and short report accompany themorphological chart.

synectics - the engineer imagines him or herself asthe item and asks, What would I do if I were thesystem?" This unconventional method of thinkingmay nd a solution to the problem at hand. The vi-tal aspects of the conceptualization step is synthesis.

1

win 8Highlight

win 8Highlight

win 8Highlight

win 8Highlight

2 3 SEE ALSO

Synthesis is the process of taking the element of theconcept and arranging them in the proper way. Syn-thesis creative process is present in every design.

brainstorming - this popular method involves think-ing of dierent ideas, typically as part of a smallgroup, and adopting these ideas in some form as asolution to the problem

1.4 Design requirementsEstablishing design requirements is one of the most im-portant elements in the design process,[4] and this taskis normally performed at the same time as the feasibil-ity analysis. The design requirements control the de-sign of the project throughout the engineering design pro-cess. Some design requirements include hardware andsoftware parameters, maintainability, availability, andtestability.[2]

1.5 Preliminary designThe preliminary design, or high-level design (also calledFEED), bridges the gap between the design concept andthe detailed design phase. In this task, the overall sys-tem conguration is dened, and schematics, diagrams,and layouts of the project will provide early project con-guration. During detailed design and optimization, theparameters of the part being created will change, but thepreliminary design focuses on creating the general frame-work to build the project on.[2]

1.6 Detailed designFollowing FEED is the Detailed Design (Detailed Engi-neering) phase which may consist of procurement as well.This phase builds on the already developed FEED, aimingto further elaborate each aspect of the project by completedescription through solid modeling, drawings as well asspecications.Some of the said specications include:[2]

Operating parameters Operating and nonoperating environmental stimuli Test requirements External dimensions Maintenance and testability provisions Materials requirements Reliability requirements External surface treatment Design life

Packaging requirements External marking

Computer-aided design (CAD) programs have made thedetailed design phase more ecient. This is because aCAD program can provide optimization, where it can re-duce volume without hindering the parts quality. It canalso calculate stress and displacement using the nite ele-ment method to determine stresses throughout the part. Itis the engineers responsibility to determine whether thesestresses and displacements are allowable, so the part issafe.[5]

1.7 Production planning and tool designThe production planning and tool design consists in plan-ning how to mass-produce the project and which toolsshould be used in the manufacturing of the part. Tasksto complete in this step include selecting the material, se-lection of the production processes, determination of thesequence of operations, and selection of tools, such asjigs, xtures, and tooling. This task also involves test-ing a working prototype to ensure the created part meetsqualication standards.[2]

1.8 ProductionWith the completion of qualication testing andprototype testing, the engineering design process isnalized. The part must now be manufactured, and themachines must be inspected regularly to make sure thatthey do not break down and slow production.[2]

2 Comparison with the ScienticMethod

The engineering design process bears some similarity tothe scientic method. [6] Both processes begin with ex-isting knowledge, and gradually become more specic inthe search for knowledge or a solution.

3 See also Applied science Axiomatic product development lifecycle (APDL) Blueprint Design engineer Design review Design science

3 Engineering analysis Engineering design management Ideal nal result Interaction design Marketing New product development Software development process Systems engineering process Traditional engineering

4 References[1] http://www.me.unlv.edu/Undergraduate/coursenotes/

meg497/ABETdefinition.htm

[2] Ertas, A. & Jones, J. (1996). The Engineering DesignProcess. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y., John Wiley & Sons,Inc.

[3] A.Eide, R.Jenison, L.Mashaw, L.Northup. Engineering:Fundamentals and Problem Solving. New York City:McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.,2002

[4] Ralph, P., and Wand, Y. A Proposal for a Formal Deni-tion of the Design Concept. In, Lyytinen, K., Loucopou-los, P., Mylopoulos, J., and Robinson, W., (eds.), De-sign Requirements Engineering: A Ten-Year Perspective:Springer-Verlag, 2009, pp. 103-136.

[5] Widas, P. (1997, April 9). Introductionto nite element analysis. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/MSE2094_NoteBook/97ClassProj/num/widas/history.html

[6] Dieter, George; Schmidt, Linda (2007). Engineering De-sign. McGraw-Hill. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-07-283703-2.

Criteria for accrediting engineering programs, En-gineering accrediting commission (PDF). ABET.

Ullman, David G. (2009) The Mechanical DesignProcess, Mc Graw Hill, 4th edition, ISBN 978-0072975741

Eggert, Rudolph J. (2010) Engineering Design, Sec-ond Edition, High Peak Press, Meridian, Idaho,ISBN 978-0131433588

4 5 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

5 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses5.1 Text

Engineering design process Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_design_process?oldid=662533101 Contributors: Kku,Ronz, Alvestrand, Utcursch, Oneiros, Douglasr007, Mdd, Alansohn, Arthena, Pen1234567, Woohookitty, Je3000, Mandarax, BD2412,NebY, Coemgenus, ScottJ, Boccobrock, Esprit15d, SmackBot, Gilliam, DMS, Silly rabbit, Allan McInnes, COMPFUNK2, Scetoaux,CapitalR, Nerfer, Underpants, Tortillovsky, Epbr123, Andyjsmith, Nick Number, Dawnseeker2000, MarshBot, Paste, MER-C, Acro-terion, VoABot II, Avicennasis, Oicumayberight, Leaf7786, Rhondalorraine, Jim.henderson, R'n'B, J.delanoy, Trusilver, Stan J Klimas,Nejuf, Belovedfreak, NewEnglandYankee, MKoltnow, Pdcook, Inwind, Lights, Paul Silverman, Vipinhari, Yeokaiwei, Wikiisawesome,Kilmer-san, Graymornings, Quantpole, Logan, Davidullman, Bsrboy, Dombom, Flyer22, Jdaloner, CarbonLifeForm, StaticGull, Motyka,ClueBot, The Thing That Should Not Be, Ryoutou, Semaj Ydoc, Jusdafax, Estirabot, SchreiberBike, Frongle, Skarebo, Addbot, Intotherye,GSMR, Jncraton, CanadianLinuxUser, MrOllie, Favonian, Tide rolls, MuZemike, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Piano non troppo, Materialsci-entist, LilHelpa, S h i v a (Visnu), Sellyme, Khalcyon, J04n, Nasa-verve, Corruptcopper, Michael93555, Calmer Waters, Reconsiderthe static, Plunkerman, Roymcloud93, Buddhahopper, Obankston, John of Reading, Nanomega, Wenttomowameadow, Tolly4bolly, Don-ner60, Johngee1, StanGawlik-NJITWILL, DASHBotAV, Kaebae1127, ClueBot NG, Piast93, Newyorkadam, Jaredrkennard, LoganLopez,Lanev93, EagerToddler39, Acetotyce, Ccmcc2012, Brtietz, JaconaFrere, Bucket fuss and Anonymous: 185

5.2 Images File:Edit-clear.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Edit-clear.svg License: Public domain Contributors: The

Tango! Desktop Project. Original artist:The people from the Tango! project. And according to the meta-data in the le, specically: Andreas Nilsson, and Jakub Steiner (althoughminimally).

File:Question_book-new.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0Contributors:Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:Tkgd2007

5.3 Content license Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Common Stages of the Engineering Design ProcessResearchFeasibilityConceptualizationDesign requirementsPreliminary designDetailed designProduction planning and tool designProduction

Comparison with the Scientific MethodSee alsoReferences Text and image sources, contributors, and licensesTextImagesContent license