Session 2010/2011 2
SMC4523
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING DESIGN
Establishing
Product Design Specifications
(PDS)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamarul Baharin Tawi
Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain
Ref: Stuart Pugh - Total Design ~ Product Design Specification (PDS)

Product Design Specifications
(PDS)
is
our
BASIC REFERENCE
Dynamics
rather than
Static
If during the design phase –
there is good reason for
changing the basic PDS 
CHANGE
Must be considered as
EVOLUTIONARY,
COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN
DOCUMENTS which,
upon completion of the design
activity,
has itself evolved to match the
characteristics of the final product.
Note:in some cases – PDS may be
CONTRACTUAL
DOCUMENT

the implications of the
proposed changes upon the
contract should be considered.
PDS – must be
COMPREHENSIVE
& UNAMBIGUOUS
To be successful 
you have to be
systematic & thorough,
paying meticulous attention
to detail
from the beginning to the end
Professional
Remember that, in this day &
age, the absence of a PDS 
will result in designs that
almost without doubt will fail
in the market.
Poor PDS lead to poor designs.
Good PDS do not necessarily
result in the best designs but
they do however make the goal
at least attainable.
The constituent elements of a
PDS are applicable to ALL
products – be they PUMPS or
PROCESS PLANTS.
Do not cut out any of the
elements!!!
Even though the information
they generate starts to overlap
& integrate
Elements
of PDS
PERFORMANCE demanded
or likely to demanded
should be fully defined:how fast,
how slow,
how often – continuously or
vice versa,
loading likely – electrical,
hydraulic or pneumatic,
…
All aspects of the product’s
likely ENVIRONMENT
should be considered & fully
investigated:temperature range,
pressure range,
humidity,
corrosion from fluids – type of
fluid or chemical,
…
Elements of
PARTIAL PDS
The PDS DOCUMENT
Is a control document – it
represents the specification of
WHAT YOU ARE TRYING
TO ACHIEVE – NOT OF THE
ACHIEVENMENT ITSELF
The PDS DOCUMENT
Is a USER document – FOR
USE BY YOU &
INDUSTRIAL SITUATIONS
BY OTHERS
(it should  be written
succinctly [in a few words, briefly & concisely] &
clearly)
The PDS DOCUMENT
Never write a PDS in essay
form – use SHORT, SHARP,
DEFINITIVE STAEMENTS
UNDER THE ELEMENTS
HEADING
(allow space for amendments &
additions)
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2 headings/pg
Many pages
User friendly
Date it
Put issue no.
Clearly documents amendments
Vary your starting 
eg. format of
a typical PDF
…
The PDS DOCUMENT
From the beginning, try to
quantify parameters in each
area – eg. Weight, height, …
(if in doubt – estimate!!!)