Mechanical Design Skill enhancement

An attempt to improve continuously.

Hand calculations -capturing process

October 12, 2020 Uncategorized
Good old “pen on paper” perspective is often faster in giving a sufficiently accurate estimates for tar-
get quantitative outputs. The term “Hand calculations” also called “Classical hand calculations” ,
“First principle calculations”, “Traditional hand calculations” etc. , has its own significance even today
when many advanced analysis tools are available. We will be using the term “Hand calculations” .

All engineering problems can be converted to some mathematical equations. Solving of these equa-
tions can provide optimum  solutions with help of analysis which involve calculations. Engineering
calculations are a practical requirement for any design project because they record designers as-
sumptions and demonstrate adequacy of the design. In many applications and situations conven-
tional hand calculations provide the most cost effective and expedient means to assess the perform-
ance & carry out the design sizing of the parts. Structural design & stress analysis can be carried out
with the help of hand calculations.

Hand calculations

Hand calculations are one of simple mean of analysis , other means being spread sheets, programs (
FEA , ANSYSIS , ADAMS etc. ). Some of the help provided by hand calculations are :

  – Dimension determination / verification

  – Design decision

  – Problem solving

  – Analysis

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Hand calculation need can come up in any stage of product life cycle , but are prominent in the stages
of “Concept design”, “Detail design”, ” Analysis ( verification)”, ” Prototype building & testing”.

Hand calculations need can ………

Hand calculations are good . It is important that Design engineers do hand calculations. Quality of the
hand calculations would depend on the underlying process. Felt the need and took up documenta-
tion of “hand calculation process” while supporting the teams of two different clients , who were in-
variably getting calculation assignments. This step was stimulated by the observations made on evol-
ution of ISO quality system which finally has converged to process focus. The system calls for having
processes which are both effective as well as efficient. An effective process enables timely delivery
and an efficient process ensures deliverable at optimum efforts.

Analytical skills along with familiarity of “hand calculation process” can be added advantage to de-
signers, whenever they have to deal with specific calculations projects or assignments having ele-
ments of calculations. The overview of “hand calculation process” evolved ( around six years back ) is
depicted in the figure below. Considering the “continuous improvement”, various items of the process
may be further finetuned or improved based on needs of specific projects, by making use of the know-
ledge that has become available since then.

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 Hand calculation process

In many situations hand calculations can be the most cost effective and quickest option in order to as-
sess the performance of a design, carrying out scoping calculations , concept evaluating calculations ,
to conduct a part / member sizing etc. Competence acquired for the complete range of mechanical &
structural design and stress calculations using hand calculation skills can lead to high level of FEAs .
This expertise along with high level document submission and approval capability through style ,
format , expert level content , can always fetch additional business in engineering design services.

Hand calculations can be drafted in Mathcad or other electronic on bound paper format. Familiarity
with relevant international standards such as British standards, ISO , ASME , ASCE , DIN and design
codes , also enable authoring of “highest standard” calculations. Capability to establish a set of per-
missible criteria for ensuring ” safe and fit design” for the intended use always is appreciated by cli-
ents outsourcing such assignments.

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problems analysis for design November 28, 2020
August 7, 2020 August 8, 2020 With 3 comments
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With 3 comments With 3 comments
 2 thoughts on “Hand calculations -
capturing process”

October 13, 2020 at 9:51 am

Nice

Padma  Liked by 1 person

October 13, 2020 at 10:08 am

Thanks!

Ramesh  Like
Rana

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