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MECH 350Engineering Design I
University of VictoriaDept. of Mechanical Engineering
Lecture 5: Problem Definition & Basic Project Planning
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PROBLEM DEFINITION: FUNCTIONAL ANALYSISGANTT CHARTS
Outline:
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Detailed Design-Detailed Analysis-Simulate & Optimize-Detail Specifications-Drawings, GD&T
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Functional Analysis within the “General” Design Process
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Identify Need-Talk with Client-Project Goals-Information Gathering
Conceptualization-Brainstorming-Drawing/Visualization-Functional Decomp.-Morphologic Chart
Preliminary Design & Planning-Prelim. Specifications-Prelim. Analysis-Decision Making-Gantt Charts & CPM
Report/Deliver-Oral Presentation-Client Feedback-Formal Design Report
Prototyping-Prototype Fabrication-Concept Verification
Testing/Evaluation-Evaluate Performance-Are Objectives Met?-Iterate Process Steps 2 - 7 as needed
Problem Definition-Problem Statement-Information Gathering-Design Objectives(quantifiable/measurable)
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For complex systems, the need and problem statements alone may be insufficient to formulate the design problem.
For such complex systems, we can a tool/method called ‘Functional Analysis’ to identify and describe the intended functions. This helps to better formulate a complex design problem.
A functional block diagram can be created to represent the system. Note: this is not an ‘organizational chart’ but rather a ‘function/process flow chart’.
Problem Definition:Functional Analysis
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The basic component of a functional block diagram is a block, where each block has an input(s), a function, and output(s).
The output serves as the input for the next block.
For example (partial representation of a washing machine):
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FunctionOutputInput
FunctionOut InInput
FunctionOutput
Heat Water
Hot WaterCold WaterWash Clothes
Waste Water
ElectricityClean Clothes
Functional Analysis
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Power Plant Functional Block Diagram, from textbook [1]:
Example #1 of Functional Block Diagram:Power Plant
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Example #1 of Functional Block Diagram:Power Plant
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Example #1 of Functional Block Diagram:Power Plant (Generate Steam Block)
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Problem Description:Water collects inside boats below the waterline, due to various sources. This water must be pumped out in order to maintain the buoyancy of the boat. In some cases, boats may not have electric power on board, and hence some type of non-electric mechanism must be developed to pump the water out of the boat.
Need Statement: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Goal Statement: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Example#2: Bilge Water Removal System
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Bilge Water Removal System:Illustrations and Drawing Concepts
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Linear Pump Concept, from [2] Wind Energy Concept, from [2]
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Bilge Water Removal System:Illustrations and Drawing Concepts
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Variant of Wind Energy Concept, from [2] Dual Pendulum Concept, from [2]
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Lets create a Functional Block Diagram to describe this system.
Remember: A Block represents a “Function” the system must do.An Arrow represents an “Object/Thing” which is an input or output.
Begin with the “Highest Level Diagram”, as shown below:
Bilge Water Removal System:Functional Block Diagram
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Natural Energy
Water + Debris+ Impurities
Capture and Convert Energy
Useful Energy
Water Out
PumpWater
Noise + Vibration
Filter Water
Pure Water
Debris+ Impurities
Bilge Water Pump
Bilge Water Removal System:Functional Block Diagram
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Natural Energy
Bilge Water Removal System:Functional Block Diagram (Capture and Convert Energy)
Useful Energy
Capture and Convert Energy
Collect Energy
Energy Type ? Transform
Energy
Mechanical Energy? Store or
Transfer Energy
Each Function Block, Sub-Function Block, etc... can be expanded.Note, Input and Output prior block remain unchanged. If you need to add Input/Output arrows, you must change higher level diagram.
15© N. Dechev, University of VictoriaFunctional Block Diagram of Bilge Pump, from [2]
Bilge Water Removal System:Functional Block Diagram
Detailed Design-Detailed Analysis-Simulate & Optimize-Detail Specifications-Drawings, GD&T
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Project Planning within the “General” Design Process
© N. Dechev, University of Victoria
Identify Need-Talk with Client-Project Goals-Information Gathering
Conceptualization-Brainstorming-Drawing/Visualization-Functional Decomp.-Morphologic Chart
Preliminary Design & Planning-Prelim. Specifications-Prelim. Analysis-Decision Making-Gantt Charts & CPM
Report/Deliver-Oral Presentation-Client Feedback-Formal Design Report
Prototyping-Prototype Fabrication-Concept Verification
Testing/Evaluation-Evaluate Performance-Are Objectives Met?-Iterate Process Steps 2 - 7 as needed
Problem Definition-Problem Statement-Information Gathering-Design Objectives(quantifiable/measurable)
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The Benefits of Planning:Communicating with clients and co-workersAllocating resourcesBenchmarking to measure progress
Planning Challenges:A common question: “How am I supposed to know how long will this take and how much will this cost? I have never done this before!”_________________________________________________________________________________
Project Planning
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At the most ‘simple level’, a basic project plan should include:List of tasks needed to complete the projectEstimate of the duration of each taskSequential ordering of those tasks based on their logical relationships to each other.Cost estimates for each taskPersonnel assignments for each task.
Basic Project Planning
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Allocating Resources
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DILBERT © UFS
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Gantt Charts:Suited for displaying project planning at various stagesEmphasizes the chronological relationship between tasks
Project Planning Tools: Gantt Charts
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B. Hyman [2]
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Gantt Chart Enhancements:Milestones: -indicated by diamonds to mark project milestonesDuration: Indicated in hours for each task
Project Planning Tools: Gantt Charts
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B. Hyman [2]
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Project Planning Tools: Gantt Charts
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Gantt Chart Enhancements:Progress Indicators: - Cross-hatched bars to indicate “actual time” vs. “original plan time”.
B. Hyman [2]
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Example of Gantt Chart: Chemical Plant Maintenance
Project Planning Tools: Gantt Charts
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References:
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For further information, consider the following references:
[1] Barry Hyman, Fundamentals of Engineering Design, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.
[2] K. Otto and, K. Wood, Product Design - Techniques in Reverse Engineering and New Product Development, Chapter 5 - 6, Prentice Hall, 2001.
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