Robotics and Automation
How organization can improve creativity
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Overview
The Engineering Design process has
several steps.
 The process is typically repeated to
improve the design.

 The process itself is iterative or cyclical.
 Think of how many times the iPhone has been
improved.

There is no single process that works for
every project.
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Engineering Design Vs. Scientific Method
There are important differences between the
Scientific Method and Engineering Design.
 The distinguishing features of Engineering
Design include:

 taking into account specifications and constraints;
 dependence on iteration; and
 the embrace of multiple possible solutions.

The differences in the two lists reflect the
basic differences between science and
engineering—scientists investigate and
engineers create.
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Scientific Inquiry:
 Demands
evidence
 Is a blend of logic and imagination
 Explains and predicts
 Tries to identify and avoid bias
 Is not authoritarian
 Attempts to justify one answer or
solution
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Engineering Design
 Is
purposeful
 Is based on certain requirements
 Is systematic
 Is iterative
 Is creative
 Allows many possible solutions
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Watch the video

Here is a nice video from TeachersDomain.org:
Web Site
Video
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The basic steps
 Identify
the challenge
 Research and brainstorm
 Design a solution
 Test ideas
 Evaluate
 Build!
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Identify the Challenge
Determine the problem you are trying to
solve.
 Identify specific requirements.
 What are the constraints?
 Are there any size, weight, or budget
limitations?
 You WILL have a plan.
 You need to be able to write a few short
statements that explain what you want to do.

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Research and Brainstorm
Gather information.
 Identify specific details of the problem and
solution.
 Identify possible and alternative solutions.
 What construction methods are
appropriate?

 Factor in materials cost and availability.

What are the social and environmental
effects of your design?
 Are there health and safety factors?
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Design a Solution
Prepare drawings and engineering plans.
 Drawing can start out simple but will
become more detailed as you settle on a
design.
 You WILL have some working drawings.

 Shape and form are important to strength,
stability, and safety.
 How does it move?
 Where does it get power?
 How does it sense the environment?
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Test Ideas
Build a model or prototype.
 Does the design perform the required
functions?
 Do the drawings assist you for construction?
 Test and troubleshoot the design.
 Determine a working schedule.
 Simple projects may not need a model.

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Evaluate






Does the design solve the problem?
Figure out what works and what does not
work.
Here is where you can go back and
redesign.
Evaluate the planning process.
Make sure each specification is satisfied.
Do you have the necessary tools and
equipment?
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Build!
The whole point of engineering is to build
something.
 Evaluate both before and after construction.
 Was your design practical?

 Was it hard or easy to build?

Do not start building before you have a plan
and a drawing!
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Engineering Design Characteristics
 First,
it is purposeful.
 A designer begins with an explicit
goal that is clearly understood.
 Design can be pictured as a journey
with a particular destination, rather
than a sightseeing trip.
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 Second,
designs are shaped by
specifications and constraints.
 Specifications spell out what the
design is intended to accomplish.
 Constraints are limitations the
designer must contend with, such as
 costs
 size requirements
 the physical limitations of the
materials used.
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 Third,
the design process is systematic
and iterative.
 In addition, Engineering Design is a
highly social and collaborative
enterprise.
 Engineers engaged in design activities
often work in teams.
 Communication with clients and others
who have a stake in the project is
crucial.
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Other Considerations
KISS
 Keep It Simple Stupid
TIMTOWTDI
 There Is More Than One Way
To Do It
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The Process Is Iterative!

The cycle can continue over and over
again.
 Continuous process improvement
You can jump in and out of the process
at different points.
 Some engineers specialize in one or a
few steps.
 The Engineering Design process is a
way of managing creativity.

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What Works Best?

No single engineering design process is
used by everyone.
 Goals are often unknown when a design
project begins.
 Requirements and assumptions can change
during the project.

Every process has a research, a design,
and a building phase.
 You MUST have objectives and criteria.
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




There is never just one “correct” solution to
a design challenge.
Instead, there are a number of possible
solutions.
Choosing among them inevitably involves
personal as well as technical
considerations.
Design is not a linear, step-by-step
process.
Each new version of the design is tested
and then modified based on what has been
learned up to that point.
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Evaluation
With data in hand, the engineer can
evaluate how well the various solutions
meet the specifications and constraints
of the design.
 The trade-offs needed to balance
competing or conflicting constraints
must be considered.
 Engineers call this process optimization.

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