Embodiment Design and 3 Phases

1/5/22, 12:34 PM What is Embodiment design and its 3 phases
Embodiment design
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What is Embodiment design? Table of Contents

1. What is Embodiment design?
2. Embodiment design phases
Embodiment design is one of the main stages 3. Further reading
of the product design process in which, the main
engineering product design concept is developed as per the product design specification
(PDS) and economic criteria to a stage where subsequent detailed design can lead directly
into production.
Figure 1. Embodiment design stage
The embodiment product design phase of an engineering product design follows the
concept design phase where various concepts are generated and evaluated to produce a
single final concept. (Figure 1)
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In some sections of literature, this phase is also referred to as preliminary design or

system-level design. The term Embodiment design is coined by Pahl and Beitz (2006)
and adopted mostly by modern European engineering product design managers. Concept
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design followed by Embodiment design and detailed design is more suitable for an
engineering product design hence this article uses these terms although there are various
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product design process models.
https://engineeringproductdesign.com/knowledge-base/embodiment-design/ 1/7
Figure 2. Defined DSLR concept design (credit: google images)
The output from the Concept design might vary from simple block diagrams (figure 2) to
very early prototypes concepts. It depends on what type of product development the
company is pursuing.
Embodiment design phases

Embodiment design is a complex process as many design activities must be
simultaneously performed, some of the design activities need to be repeated several times
with changing data and any changes in one section will influence another section of the
design.
Every engineering product design is different and adds this to the above challenges,
precisely the reason why it’s very difficult to have strict set-out plans for the embodiment
design phase.
So, at the embodiment stage of new product development, an abstract design concept will
get moulded into a system or product that works and can be manufactured within the
allocated unit cost.
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Embodiment design phase activities can be divided into three sections or phases (figure 3).
Product architecture
Design configuration
Parametric design
Product architecture
Product architecture also referred to as System-level design is, outlining and allocating

physical components or entities to the function of a product. Physical elements are defined
and arranged to satisfy the overall product requirement specification and are usually
called modules.
Product architecture could start with very simple block diagrams as shown in figure 4 or
could be well thought out as an ongoing family of products.
Figure 4. DSLR architecture (credit:google images)
System-level design is defined by how each subcomponent or modules interact with each
other at a product level and the function of each subcomponent. Product architecture is
vital to any product development as it would impact the product evaluation and the cost of
the product.
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Product architecture can fall into two categories or styles. Modular and Integral.
Modular
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In modular design, overall product purpose or system-level function is subdivided into
smaller single functions or individual operations and allocated to single parts or sub-
assemblies called modules. These modules are treated as individual components and have
well defined electrical or mechanical interface. These are then interfaced together to form
the complete product to perform its complete function. Engineering products with
modular architecture are more common than integral designs.
Figure 5. Modular vs integral product architecture
Integral
Integral product architecture is where the functions of the engineering product are carried
out by a combination of parts that are not organized in a structured manner. Hence, the
functional implementation is achieved by one or very few modules where components
perform multiple functions.
Integral system-level design is often preferred when weight, shape, size & cost constraints
affect and undermine the performance of the product. Design for manufacture and
assembly which emphasizes minimises parts count also another strong driver of integral
product architecture product designs. Generally, integral engineering products have a very
high function to components ratio, meaning the product can perform multiple functions
using the same components differently.
Design configuration
In design configuration, shape and general dimensions or sizes are established to the
components that are defined in product architecture. It is largely dependent on the three-
dimensional constraints that define the envelope in which the product operates and the
product architecture. This would be a preliminary selection of material, manufacturing
process, modelling, sizing of parts etc.
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Figure 6. Design configuration (credit: siemens)
Design configuration, sometimes referred to as form, develops from its function and
strongly depends on available material and its manufacturing techniques.
The design configuration phase should involve the following steps;
TRS or Product design specification (PDS) review

Identify and define the space constraints
Identify and define the interfaces and connections between the components
Maintain functional independence of an assembly or the components to ensure that

changes should affect only a single function
Identify and eliminate or reduce parts by either removing them or combing a few parts
together
Parametric design
The main objective of the Parametric design is to allocate values to design variables to
produce the best possible product design or functional component by considering both
the technical and economical requirements. This aspect of the design is much more
analytical than conceptual or design configuration.
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Figure 7. Parametric design
Design variable is an attribute of a part whose value is under the control of the designer –
these are typically dimension, tolerance, material, surface finish, heat treatment etc.
The main objective of parametric design is to set values for the design variables that will
produce the best possible design considering both the performance and cost. Parametric
design is also about setting the dimensions and tolerances to maximize quality and
performance and minimize the cost.
Steps would vary vastly depending on the nature of the product. But, for physical
engineering products, product development could be divided into the following five steps.
1. Parametric design problem formulation

2. Alternative design generations
3. Alternative design analysis
4. Analysis of results evaluation
5. Refining and optimisation
Further reading
Pahl, G., & Beitz, W. (1996). Engineering design: A systematic approach. London: Springer.
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1/5/22, 12:34 PM What is Embodiment design and its 3 phases

What is Embodiment design? Table of Contents

Figure 1. Embodiment design stage

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In some sections of literature, this phase is also referred to as preliminary design or

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tchen Gallery & Interior

Figure 2. Defined DSLR concept design (credit: google images)

Embodiment design phases

Wardrobe & Interior Figure 3. Embodiment design

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Product architecture also referred to as System-level design is, outlining and allocating

Figure 4. DSLR architecture (credit:google images)

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Figure 5. Modular vs integral product architecture

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Figure 6. Design configuration (credit: siemens)

The design configuration phase should involve the following steps;

TRS or Product design specification (PDS) review

Maintain functional independence of an assembly or the components to ensure that

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1. Parametric design problem formulation

5. Refining and optimisation

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