Teacher/Mentor Institute
The Engineering Design Process
Linda King
July 21-22, 2014
Importance of the
Engineering Design Process
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Provides a methodical approach to help solve
problems to achieve objectives within constraints
May be used for any design/build project
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Whole robot, robot components, project engineering
notebook, and marketing presentation
Helps students maintain some objectivity with
respect to design ideas
Helps identify problems early
Page 2
Presentation sources and additional
resources
“Engineering Design
a Project-based Introduction
by Dym and Little is a good teacher resource. Many
of the examples and all of the tools discussed in the
remainder of the presentation are taken from this
book”
A good product is the result of
a good process.
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What is design?
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What is the Engineering Design Process?
Examples help
What tools are available?
Page 4
What is Design?
Design is about creating – form and function.
It’s achieving objectives within given constraints
Page 5
The Engineering Design Process is
an set of steps for creation and
invention.
ASK
IMPROVE
IMAGINE
The Goal
PLAN
CREATE
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What is the Engineering Design Process
Mirrors standard steps in problem-solving.
Documentation is
crucial!
Problem Definition
(Analysis)
Conceptual Design
Preliminary Design
(Synthesis)
(Evaluation)
Design Decision
Detailed Design
(Decision )
(Action)
Production, Integration & Test
(Build & Verify)
Page 7
Use Project Engineering Notebook
to manage the process steps
Documentation
1. Formalizes the design
process
• create using design process
• notebook has fewer requirements
and alternatives to consider
• start on day 1 as a tool to manage
design process
• crucial record of the process
• enhances communication between
groups
• essential to bring new people up
to speed
Required by every team
and due on Practice Day - • use to continually verify compliance
• establish test plan against
NO EXCEPTIONS
requirements early in process
2. Reinforces process
learning
3. Helps maintain design
idea objectivity
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Define the problem in detail without
implying a particular solution.
Problem
Definition
• desired attributes and behavior
• expressed as “being” statements (not
“doing”)
1. Clarify design
objectives
2. Identify constraints
• restrictions or limitations on a
behavior, a value, or some other
aspect of performance
• stated as clearly defined limits
• often result of standards & guideline
3. Establish functions
4. Establish requirements
Attributes List:
Objectives, Constraints,
Functions, and
Requirements list
Documentation
• actions the design must perform
• expressed as “doing” statements
• typically involve output based on input
• non-negotiable objectives and/or
functions
Page 9
Objectives, constraints, functions &
requirements may be broad-based.
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Some items are absolute – others negotiable
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Functionality (inputs, outputs, operating modes)
Physical (size, weight, temperature)
Reliability, durability, security
Power (voltage levels, battery life)
Performance (speed, resolution)
Ease of use
Conformance to applicable standards
Compatibility with existing product(s)
Cost
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Both functional & non-functional
requirements used for a design.
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Functional requirements:
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support a given load
grasp a given size
reach a given distance
move at given speed
etc.
Non-functional requirements (usually form-focused)
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size, weight, color, etc.
power consumption
reliability
durability
etc.
Page 11
Design involves creativity within
boundaries. Consider any viable
solution concept.
Conceptual Design
1. Establish design
specifications
2. Generate design
alternatives
• Performance Parameters
• Revised objectives and
constraints
• Function List
• Brainstorming results
Documentation
• precise descriptions of
properties
• numerical values corresponding
to performance parameters
and attributes
• let the creativity flow
• don’t marry the first idea
• beware of “we can’t…” and “we
have to…”
• must live within the design
space
Page 12
Nail down enough design details
that a decision can be made.
Preliminary Design
1. “Flesh out” leading
conceptual designs
2. Model, analyze, test, and
evaluate conceptual designs
• CAD Drawings
• Model photos
• Simulation and Proof-ofconcept information
Documentation
• scale models – cardboard,
straws, paper clips, paper,
pencils, white glue, etc.
• computer models (CAD)
• mathematical models
• proof-of-concept
• simulation results
• qualitative and/or
quantitative
Page 13
The “optimal” design solution
may or may not be obvious.
Design Decision
• evaluate design alternatives
against specifications
1. Select the optimal design
based on the findings from
the previous stage
• a “better” technical solution
may not make the cut due to
differences between design
objectives and constraints
• Trade off criteria
• Trade off results
• Optimal design decision tool
and data
Documentation
Page 14
Time to go from idea to reality.
Detailed Design
1. Refine and optimize choices
made in preliminary design
2. Articulate specific parts and
dimensions
3. Fabricate prototype and
move toward production
• Design choice details
• Parts list with dimensions
• Prototype photos
Documentation
• document compliance to
objectives, constraints,
functions, requirements
• define sub assembly parts
and interfaces
• material available to build
more than 1 robot
• consider test approaches
There is a huge gulf
between a great idea and
a working prototype!
Page 15
Turn your design to reality and
verify it works
Production,
Integration & Test
1. Build sub-assemblies
2. Integrate completed subassemblies
3. Test, practice, improve …
repeat
• Build Directions
• Safety training and practices
• Test plan and results, and
parts of Game field
Documentation
• ensure safety training is
available and safety
practices are followed
• reuse prototype parts
• may require quick plan
development to recover
from problems
• ensure test approach verifies
specifications compliance
• may be wise to have part of
the game field
Page 16
Documentation is
crucial!
The Engineering Design Process is
generally iterative, not linear.
Problem Definition
(Analysis)
Conceptual Design
Preliminary Design
(Synthesis)
(Evaluation)
Design Decision
Detailed Design
(Decision )
(Action)
Production, Integration & Test
(Build & Verify)
Page 17
How is the Engineering
Design Process applied?
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Examples help
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BEST robotics questions examples
What tools are available?
Problem Solving Tool References
 BEST Provided Software Tool References
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Page 18
The design process begins with
some initial problem statement.
Problem Definition
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Initial Problem Statement
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Design a robot to play this year’s game.
Design problems are often ill-structured and
open-ended.
Asking questions is a great way to begin
defining the problem to be addressed.
Page 19
Think in terms of questions that
would help define the problem and
guide the design.
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Problem
Definition
What scoring strategy will we use?
What type of steering is desired?
How many degrees-of-freedom does the robot need?
What maximum reach must the robot have?
How fast does the robot need to be?
How much weight must the robot lift?
What physical obstacles must the robot overcome?
Will the robot be interacting with other robots?
What sight (or other) limitations will be placed on the driver?
What functions must the robot perform?
Page 20
Begin to categorize questions in
terms of what information the
answers communicate.
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Clarifying objectives
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Can the robot touch other robots?
Can game pieces touch the field?
What are the dimensions of key parts of the field?
Establishing functions
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What scoring strategy will be adopted?
How much practice time will drivers have?
Identifying constraints
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Problem Definition
What scoring strategy will be adopted?
How much ground must the robot cover in a round?
Establishing requirements
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What minimum size must the robot be to carry a given game piece?
How much weight must be lifted to carry a given game piece?
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Think about specific details and
various means of achieving certain
functions.
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Establishing design specifications
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Conceptual
Design
What is the maximum torque required to pick up a game
piece?
What is the maximum reach needed?
What is the smallest space in which the robot will
operate?
Generating design alternatives
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Could the robot have 2, 3, or 4 wheels? Treads?
Could game pieces be lifted from above or scooped from
below?
Could the robot have more than one arm?
Page 22
 What tools* are available to aid
in the Engineering Design
Process?
Problem Definition
• Questions – previous examples
• Attributes List – objectives, constraints,
functions, requirements
• Pairwise Comparison Chart
• Objectives/Constraints Tree
Conceptual Design
• Questions – previous examples
• Brainstorming
• 6-3-5 Method
Preliminary Design
• Function-Means Tree
 EA Hoover: BEST & The Engineering Design Process
Page 23
What software tools are available
from BEST?
Company
Product
Company Web Site Description
intelitech
easyC® v4
for Cortex
Robotic programming - easyC’s simple to use graphical
interface does all of the syntax and spacing, allowing
focus on program flow and design
Robot C
Robot C for
Cortex &
Product
PIC
Robotics programming - C-based programming
language with a Windows environment for writing and
Company
Web Site Description
debugging programs
Company
MathWorks Simulink
(access to
MATLAB)
Graphical editor, customizable block libraries, and
solvers for modeling and simulating dynamic system.
Build the model, simulate the model, analyze results,
manage projects, and connect to hardware.
Wolfram
Computational Tool - applies intelligent automation in
every part of the system, from algorithm selection to
plot layout and user interface design, reliable, highquality results without needing algorithm expertise
Mathmatica
Page 24
What software tools are available
from BEST?
Company
Product
Company Web Site Description
Dassault
Systèmes
SolidWorks
3D mechanical CAD, design validation, and data
management - Intuitive 3D design puts your focus on
innovation, accelerates your design process, higher
process efficiency, improved collaboration
HSM Works HSM
Works
Integrated CAM for SolidWorks - Create high-quality
toolpaths within minutes, comprehensive 2D and 3D
CAD capabilities of SolidWorks mechanical design
solutions and quickly extend any knowledge gained to
the CAM process
Inspirtech
SolidWorks Training & Tutorials - structured training
solution, with examples and exercises, structured in
such a way that each topic can be either thoroughly
examined or quickly understood, based on the
student’s aptitude
Computer
based
training
Available Software Tools
Page 25
In summary:

Engineering Design Process
Provides a methodical approach to help solve
problems to achieve objectives within
constraints
 May be used for any design/build project

 Whole
robot, robot components, project
engineering notebook, and marketing presentation


Helps students maintain some objectivity with
respect to design ideas
Helps identify design problems early
Page 26
Are there any questions?
Page 27