The Engineering Design Process

1
The Engineering Design Process

• UHCL CENG and CSCI Senior Projects

2
Why Design?

• Engineers search for creative and efficient
  solutions to problems
• In doing so, they search for the best solution
• The best solution cannot be found without
  following a systematic method
• The same basic method should be effective in the
  solution of other types of problems

3
What does the best design provide?

• All required functions are performed
• A minimum of material is used
• A minimum cost is incurred
• The user is satisfied
• The deadline is met

4
Steps in a Design Process

• Identify the problem
• Identify specifications considering design
  constraints
• Gather preliminary ideas and alternative designs
• Select one design
• Simulate
• If design is correct, then implement prototype
• Else, redesign

5
Steps in a Design Process

• Test the prototype
• If it meets specifications, finished product
• Else, if minor errors then make corrections and
  implement prototype
• If errors are major, redesign and go through
  process again

6
Identifying the problem

• What is the task or activity that must be
  accomplished?
• What requirements must be met?
• What are the constraints?

7
Problem Analysis

• What measurements are required?
• Has the problem been solved before?
• Can any existing techniques be used to solve the
  problem?
• Can the problem be solved analytically or
  computationally?
• What are the possible solutions or alternatives
  available?

8
Refinement

• Does it work on paper or prototype?
• Is this the best solution?
• Does it work for all cases?
• Can it be made, manufactured or accomplished?
• How will the solution be communicated?
• Will it be safe?

9
Deciding on a Solution

• What are the strong points of a solution?
• What are the weak points of a solution?
• Accept and implement a solution or reject and
  repeat the process