The Engineering Design Process

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 Importance of the
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 problems early

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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.

+ +
What is design? What is the Engineering Design Process?

Examples help

What tools are available?

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 What is Design?

Design is about creating – form and function.

It’s achieving objectives within given constraints

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 The Engineering Design Process is an
set of steps for creation and invention.

ASK IMAGINE

IMPROVE
The Goal PLAN

CREATE

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 What is the Engineering Design Process
Mirrors standard steps in problem-solving .

Problem Definition (Analysis)

Documentation is

Conceptual Design (Synthesis)

crucial!

Preliminary Design (Evaluation)

Design Decision (Decision )

Detailed Design (Action)

Production, Integration & Test

(Build & Verify) Page 7
 Use Project Engineering Notebook to
manage the process steps
• create using design process
Documentation • notebook has fewer requirements
and alternatives to consider
• start on day 1 as a tool to manage
1. Formalizes the design
process design process
2. Reinforces process • crucial record of the process
learning • enhances communication between
3. Helps maintain design groups
idea objectivity • essential to bring new people up
to speed
Required by every team • use to continually verify
and due on Practice Day - compliance
NO EXCEPTIONS • establish test plan against
requirements early in processPage 8
 Define the problem in detail without
implying a particular solution.
• desired attributes and behavior
Problem • expressed as “being” statements (not
Definition “doing”)
1. Clarify design • restrictions or limitations on a
objectives behavior, a value, or some other
2. Identify constraints aspect of performance
3. Establish functions • stated as clearly defined limits
4. Establish requirements • often result of standards & guideline
• actions the design must perform
Attributes List: • expressed as “doing” statements
Objectives, Constraints, • typically involve output based on input
Functions, and
• non-negotiable objectives and/or
Requirements list
functions
Documentatio Page 9
 Objectives, constraints, functions &
requirements may be broad-based.

 Some items are absolute – others negotiable

 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.
 Functional requirements:
 support a given load
 grasp a given size
 reach a given distance
 move at given speed
 etc.
 Non-functional requirements (usually form-focused)
 size, weight, color, etc.
 power consumption
 reliability
 durability
 etc.
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 Design involves creativity within
boundaries. Consider any viable
solution concept.
• precise descriptions of
Conceptual Design properties
• numerical values corresponding
1. Establish design to performance parameters
specifications and attributes
2. Generate design
alternatives • let the creativity flow
• Performance Parameters • don’t marry the first idea
• Revised objectives and • beware of “we can’t…” and “we
constraints have to…”
• Function List • must live within the design
• Brainstorming results space
Documentatio Page 12
 Nail down enough design details
that a decision can be made.

Preliminary Design • scale models – cardboard,

1. “Flesh out” leading
conceptual designs
2. Model, analyze, test, and
evaluate conceptual designs
• CAD Drawings
• Model photos
• Simulation and Proof-of-
concept information
straws, paper clips, paper,
pencils, white glue, etc.
• computer models (CAD)
• mathematical models
• proof-of-concept
• simulation results
• qualitative and/or
quantitative

Documentatio Page 13
 The “optimal” design solution
may or may not be obvious.
• evaluate design alternatives
Design Decision against specifications
1. Select the optimal design • a “better” technical solution
based on the findings from may not make the cut due to
the previous stage differences between design
objectives and constraints
• Trade off criteria
• Trade off results
• Optimal design decision tool
and data

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Documentation
 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
Documentatio
n
• 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!
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 Turn your design to reality and
verify it works
Production, • ensure safety training is
Integration & Test available and safety
practices are followed
1. Build sub-assemblies • reuse prototype parts
2. Integrate completed sub- • may require quick plan
assemblies
development to recover
3. Test, practice, improve … from problems
repeat
• ensure test approach verifies
• Build Directions
specifications compliance
• Safety training and practices
• may be wise to have part of
• Test plan and results, and
the game field
parts of Game field
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Documentatio
 The Engineering Design Process
is generally iterative, not linear.

Problem Definition (Analysis)

Documentation is

Conceptual Design (Synthesis)

crucial!

Preliminary Design (Evaluation)

Design Decision (Decision )

Detailed Design (Action)

Production, Integration & Test
(Build & Verify) Page 17
 How is the Engineering
Design Process applied?

 Examples help
 Robotics questions examples

 What tools are available?

 Problem Solving Tool References
 Provided Software Tool References

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 The design process begins with
some initial problem statement.
Problem Definition
 Initial Problem Statement
 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.

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 Think in terms of questions that would
help define the problem and guide the
design.
Problem
 What scoring strategy will we use? Definition
 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?

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 Begin to categorize questions in terms of
what information the answers
communicate.
 Clarifying objectives Problem Definition
 What scoring strategy will be adopted?
 How much practice time will drivers have?
 Identifying constraints
 Can the robot touch other robots?
 Can game pieces touch the field?
 What are the dimensions of key parts of the field?
 Establishing functions
 What scoring strategy will be adopted?
 How much ground must the robot cover in a round?
 Establishing requirements
 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.
Conceptual
 Establishing design specifications 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
 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?
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 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

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 What software tools are available
from BEST?
Company Product Company Web Site Description
Intelitech easyC® v4 Robotic programming - easyC’s simple to use graphical
for Cortex interface does all of the syntax and spacing, allowing
focus on program flow and design
Robot C Robot C for Robotics programming - C-based programming
Cortex & language with a Windows environment for writing and
Company PIC
Product debugging
Company programs
Web Site Description
MathWorks Simulink Graphical editor, customizable block libraries, and
(access to solvers for modeling and simulating dynamic system.
MATLAB) Build the model, simulate the model, analyze results,
manage projects, and connect to hardware.
Wolfram Mathmatica Computational Tool - applies intelligent automation in
every part of the system, from algorithm selection to plot
layout and user interface design, reliable, high-quality
results without needing algorithm expertise

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 What software tools are available
from BEST?
Company Product Company Web Site Description
Dassault SolidWorks 3D mechanical CAD, design validation, and data
Systèmes management - Intuitive 3D design puts your focus on
innovation, accelerates your design process, higher
process efficiency, improved collaboration
HSM Works HSM Integrated CAM for SolidWorks - Create high-quality
Works 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 Computer SolidWorks Training & Tutorials - structured training
based solution, with examples and exercises, structured in
training such a way that each topic can be either thoroughly
examined or quickly understood, based on the
student’s aptitude

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

 Wholerobot, robot components, project

engineering notebook, and marketing presentation
 Helps students maintain some objectivity with
respect to design ideas
 Helps identify design problems early
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Are there any questions?

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