Morphological Matrices

1
Morphological Matrices

• Morphological matrices are used to generate
  possible design solutions
• A morphological matrix is very simple it is a
  table of possible solutions

2
Morphological Matrices

• Morphological matrices are used to generate
  possible design solutions
• A morphological matrix is a very useful and
  visual way of organizing and assessing the range
  of possible solution combinations for our problem

3
Morphological Matrices (2)

• Parts of a morphological matrix
• Sub-functions in the first column
• Possible solutions to each sub-function are shown
  in the rows to the right of each function

4
Recall Product Function

• The function of a product is what the product
  does without considering any particular solution
• We look at two levels of function
• Overall function of product
• Simpler sub-functions that contribute to the
  overall function
• Remember the mousetrap? Our sub-functions were

5
Do it!

• Make a morphological matrix for the chain of four
  sub-functions that describe the function of a
  mousetrap.
• Sketch/describe at least 4 solutions to each
  sub-function.
• Dont limit your solutions to reasonable
  designs. Go crazy on a few of them!

6
Example Morph Matrix for Mousetrap Design
7
Automatic Morph Matrix Generation

• UMR Design Engineering Labs Design Repository
• Currently contains information describing 102
  products and 4624 artifacts

8
Automatic Morph Matrix Generation
You will use this tool on a future memo
9
Automatic Morph Matrix Generation

• Remember the functional modeling language we
  talked about earlier in the semester?
• Sub-functions must be translated into the
  Functional Basis before we can generate our
  morphological matrices from the online design
  repository.

10
Do it!

• Use the instructions in your handouts to generate
  a morphological matrix from the online design
  repository.
• Enter the chain of four sub-functions that
  describe the function of a mousetrap.
• Note You will have to first translate our
  mousetrap functional model into the Functional
  Basis.
• HINT Capture Mouse can be translated as
  Import Solid