Engineering design is a systematic and iterative process aimed at developing solutions to complex problems by creating or enhancing products, systems, or processes. It begins with a clear definition of the problem, where engineers identify requirements and constraints. This is followed by extensive research to understand existing solutions and gather relevant information. Engineers then engage in brainstorming sessions to generate multiple concepts, evaluating each based on feasibility, cost, and performance. The selected concept undergoes prototyping and testing to assess its effectiveness and to identify any necessary adjustments.
The design process continues with optimization, where the solution is refined to meet specifications and constraints effectively. Final implementation involves creating detailed designs for manufacturing or deployment, accompanied by thorough documentation to communicate the design's rationale and results to stakeholders. Ultimately, engineering design combines creativity, technical knowledge, and critical thinking, ensuring that the resulting solutions are functional, reliable, and innovative in addressing real-world challenges.
Engineering Design Process:-
Problem definition
Conceptual design
Preliminary design
Detailed design
Design communication
Catapult activity:
Working together as a team to explore different design concepts for the catapult activity helped us understand creative problem-solving in engineering design better. By sharing ideas and trying out different approaches, we gained a broader perspective on how to solve the problem effectively. This collaborative process allowed us to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of how to design a successful catapult for attacking enemy territory. Teamwork and collaboration helped us explore new ideas and find the best solution together. Choosing a design concept that meets functional needs while also considering ethical factors is crucial for creating solutions that are effective and morally responsible.
Objective,Function and Constraints:-
Objective:
The specific goal or desired outcome of the design, such as minimizing cost or maximizing efficiency.
Function:
The task or purpose that the design or system must perform to meet the objective.
Constraints:
Limitations or conditions like time, budget, or material restrictions that must be satisfied in the design process.
Interaction with client:-
Effective interaction with clients is essential for building strong relationships and ensuring their satisfaction. Active listening allows you to fully understand their needs and concerns, while clear and concise communication helps convey your offerings in a straightforward manner. Setting clear expectations and regularly following up fosters collaboration and trust, making clients feel valued and heard. By being professional, punctual, and attentive, you enhance their experience, while a proactive approach to problem-solving ensures that any issues are addressed promptly. Ultimately, these practices lead to fruitful partnerships and successful outcomes for both parties.
Market and survey:-
A market survey is a research tool used to gather information about consumer preferences, behaviors, and demographics within a specific market. Conducting a market survey is crucial for understanding customer needs, assessing market trends, and segmenting the audience effectively. It involves defining clear objectives, identifying the target audience, and selecting the appropriate method for data collection, such as online questionnaires or interviews. By analyzing the collected data, businesses can gain valuable insights that inform product development, marketing strategies, and competitive positioning, ultimately leading to better decision-making and increased customer satisfaction.
Interaction with client activity:-
Grinding bot:-
In this class, we participated in an activity where we were tasked with creating a grinding bot. Half of the class acted as designers, while the other half, including us, took on the role of clients. we, the clients provided the designers several objectives, functions, and constraints that the bot needed to fulfill, such as efficiency, ease of use, affordability, and durability. As designers, they actively engaged with the clients, asking detailed questions to clarify their needs, gather feedback, and understand their priorities. This interaction highlighted the importance of effective communication and collaboration in meeting client expectations. Additionally, we learned the value of conducting market and literature surveys to identify trends, evaluate existing solutions, and incorporate innovative features. The activity emphasized how understanding both technical requirements and customer needs is essential for designing practical, market-ready products.
In this session, all the teams got their respective prototypes to work on. We got the need statement of PRINTING MACHINE.
We were asked to frame a problem definition considering three different stages,
With objectives
With objectives and constraints
With objectives,constraints and functions
We were assigned to create,
Morphological chart
Concept design
Function tree
Pugh Chart
Justification for pugh chart
Functional clustering
Interation details
For printing machine these are the objectives,functions and constraints:-
Problem definition in engineering process:-
In the engineering process, problem definition is a critical first step that establishes the foundation for the entire project. It involves clearly identifying and articulating the specific issue or challenge to be addressed, ensuring that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of the problem's context. This step includes contextualization—gathering relevant background information and stakeholder needs—specification of requirements, and formulation of a clear problem statement. By recognizing constraints and limitations, engineers can outline the necessary performance metrics and objectives that any proposed solution must meet.
A well-defined problem is essential for guiding the design and decision-making process, helping to focus efforts and streamline development. This clarity reduces the risk of miscommunication and scope creep, ultimately leading to more efficient resource utilization and improved project outcomes. Without a solid understanding of the problem, engineering teams may create ineffective solutions that do not meet user needs, wasting both time and resources.
Problem definition for printing machine:-
1.1 Problem definition with objectives:-
Design a versatile and efficient machine that can produce high-quality prints and scans. The machine should be easy to use, portable, and hygienic. It should also have connectivity options for seamless data transfer and remote control. Machine design should be user-friendly.
1.2 Problem definition with objectives and constraints:-
Design a compact, cost-effective, and durable printer capable of producing at least 4 A4 prints per minute. The budget to build should not exceed Rs. 4000 and The printer should be able to print continuously for 3 hours and handle multiple print jobs without compromising print quality. The machine should be durable for 8 to 10 attempts. Dimensions should be 3 cubic ft.
1.3 Problem definition with objectives,constraints and functions:-
Design a versatile, user-friendly printer that delivers high-quality, high-speed prints. It should be portable, compact, and lightweight for easy transport and storage. The printer must be efficient. It should detect paper and ink types for optimal performance and be reliable for consistent results. Additionally, it should offer multiple connectivity options, provide clear indications of process completion, and require minimal effort for maintenance.
Morphological chart:-
Considering functions from both user and designer perspectives helped us create a detailed morphological chart by ensuring that we addressed all essential features and design considerations that meet both user needs and design requirements.
Collaboration and communication helped us understand what users want and what designers can do, ensuring that our morphological chart meets both user expectations and design capabilities.
The morphological chart exercise helped us see how to balance what users want with what we can actually design, making it clearer to create solutions that meet everyone's needs.
Concept design:-
Concept 1
Concept 2
Concept 3
Concept 4
Concept 5
Function tree of printing machine:-
Pugh Chart:
The Pugh chart helps us to compare different design ideas to find the best one. We look at criteria like cost, efficiency, and ease of use. The chosen concept guides our next steps in designing the product. It helped us to decide which design features were most important and which trade-offs we could accept. It showed us what aspects of the design were better and why. This process taught us how to make better decisions in future engineering projects. By discussing and analyzing each option together, we were able to weigh the pros and cons effectively. This collaboration ensured that we selected the concept with the most success in our engineering design project.
Justification for pugh chart:-
Functional clustering of printing machine:-
Interation details:-