Chapter 1 The Product Design Process
The Four Cs of Design A Simplified Approach A Problem Solving Methodology Consideration of A Good Design
The Four Cs of Design
Creativity
Requires creation of something that has not existed before or not existed in the designers mind before
Complexity
Requires decisions on many variables and parameters
Choice
Requires making choices between many possible solutions at all levels, from basic concepts to smallest detail of shapes
Compromise
Requires balancing multiple and sometimes conflicting requirements
What is Design?
Design establishes and defines solutions to and pertinent structures for problems not solved before, or new solutions to problems which have previously been solved in a different way
Difference between Design and Discovery:
Discovery is getting the first sight of something but design is the product of planning and work
Good design requires both analysis and synthesis
(Analysis is to breakdown complex problems to manageable parts and synthesis involves the identification of the design elements that will compromise the product and the combination of the part solutions into a total workable system)
The Design Process- A Simplified Approach
General information Specific information
Design Operation
Outcome
NO Feedback loop Evaluation
yes
Go to the next step
Scientific Method vs Design Method
Existing knowledge
Communication
State of the art
Identification of need
Acceptance
Scientific curiosity Hypothesis
Conceptualization
Logical analysis
Feasibility analysis
Production Design Method
Proof Scientific Method
Consideration of Good Design
Design Requirements
Functional performance (F, , power, deflection) Complementary performance (life of design, robustness, reliability, ease, economy, safety of maintenance)
Total Life Cycle
Material selection, productivity, durability
Regulatory and Social Issues ASTM, ASME standards, codes of ethics, EPA requirements
Design Process
I. Conceptual Design II. Embodiment Design III. Detail Design IV. Planning for Manufacture V. Planning for Distribution VI. Planning for use VII. Planning for Retirement of the Product
I. Conceptual Design
Identification of customer needs Problem definition Gathering information Conceptualization Concept selection Refinement of product design specification Design review
II. Embodiment Design
Product architecture Configuration design of parts and components (feature present like holes, ribs, splines, and curves are
configured). Modeling and simulation may be performed. The generation of physical model of the part with rapid prototyping processes may be appropriate)
Parametric design of parts and components
(exact dimensions and tolerances, materials and processes, robustness)
III. Detail Design
In this phase the design is brought to the stage of a complete engineering description of a tested and producible product.
IV. Planning for Manufacture
Designing specialized tools and fixtures Specifying the production plant that will be used Planning the work schedules and inventory controls Planning the quality assurance systems Establishing the standard time and labor costs for each operation Establishing the system of information flow necessary to control the manufacturing operation
V. Planning for Distribution
Shelf life consideration System of warehouses for distribution of the product needs to be designed Marketing efforts on advertising and news media techniques must be selected For technical activities specialized sale brochures and performance test data must be generated.
VI. Planning for use
Ease of maintenance, reliability, product safety, convenience in use (human factors engineering), aesthetic appeal, economy of operation, and duration of service are some of the questions to be answered in a consumer oriented product. Acquisition of reliable data on failure, service lives, and consumer complaint and attitudes to provide a basis for product improvement in the next design is an important phase VI activity.
VII. Planning for Retirement of the Product
The final step in the design process is the disposal of the product when it has reached the end of its useful life. Useful life may be determined by actual deterioration and wear or it may be determined by technological obsolescence. Industrial ecology considerations dictate a plan for either disposal of the product in an environmentally safe way or, better, the recycling of its materials, or remanufacture or reuse of product components.
