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What is the Engineering Process?
The engineering process is a set of processes that engineers and other knowledgeable individuals will use to solve issues of any sort over the course of a lengthy process. In contrast, the Design Process comprises of a few straightforward processes that must be repeatedly carried out in order to ultimately produce the desired outcome. This will vary depending on the plan and outcome, but it allows for the learning from mistakes and improvements. The phases of the aforementioned problem-solving techniques include defining your objectives and constraints, prototyping, testing, and evaluation. The engineering process can be completed in any sequence, although it is typical for individuals to first identify the issue and share their thoughts before creating a prototype, which is then improved and adjusted until it meets the engineers' intended purpose. Replication is a common method of operation and is referred to as such.
Engineering Process: Define
The problem statement in the engineering process is a clear and concise articulation of the problem or need that the project aims to address. In the case of the electric wheelchair controlled through head movement, the problem statement might be:
"People with mobility disabilities face significant barriers to independence and mobility due to limitations in available mobility devices. Traditional electric wheelchairs require hand or joystick controls, which are not accessible to people with limited hand function. The goal of this project is to develop an electric wheelchair that can be controlled through head movement, providing a more accessible and user-friendly mobility option for people with mobility disabilities."
Engineering Process: Ask
5 MAIN QUESTIONS
1. What are the requirements?
Accessibility: The electric wheelchair should be designed to be accessible to people with mobility disabilities, particularly those who have limited hand function. The head control system should be intuitive and easy to use, and the overall design of the wheelchair should be comfortable and ergonomic.
Safety: The electric wheelchair should be designed with safety as a top priority. The head control system should be reliable and responsive, and the wheelchair should have safety features such as anti-tip mechanisms and automatic braking systems.
Maneuverability: The electric wheelchair should be easy to maneuver in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. It should have a tight turning radius and be able to handle a range of terrain types, including slopes and uneven surfaces.
Durability: The electric wheelchair should be durable and able to withstand frequent use over an extended period of time. The materials used in the construction of the wheelchair should be high-quality and able to withstand wear and tear.
Cost-effectiveness: The electric wheelchair should be cost-effective and affordable for the end-users. The engineering team should consider the cost of materials, manufacturing, and distribution, and aim to develop a product that is accessible to as many people as possible.
2. How can we make this project effectively?
Define the problem and establish project goals: The engineering team should clearly define the problem the electric wheelchair aims to solve and establish project goals and objectives that align with the problem statement.
Conduct user research and gather requirements: The team should conduct user research and gather requirements from end-users and other stakeholders to ensure that the electric wheelchair meets their needs and expectations.
Generate design concepts and evaluate alternatives: The engineering team should generate multiple design concepts and evaluate them against the project goals and requirements. They should consider factors such as feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.
Develop detailed designs and prototypes: Once the team has selected a design concept, they can develop detailed designs and create prototypes to test and refine the design.
Conduct testing and validation: The team should conduct testing and validation to ensure that the electric wheelchair meets the project goals and requirements. They can use user feedback and other data to iterate on the design and make improvements as necessary.
Manufacture and distribute the product: Once the design has been finalized and validated, the team can begin manufacturing the electric wheelchair and distributing it to end-users and other stakeholders.
Monitor and evaluate the product: The team should continue to monitor and evaluate the product after it has been released to identify any issues or areas for improvement.
3. What material is best suited for this application?
Our engineering project called for a variety of materials, but metal and plastic seemed to be the most appropriate. Due to its malleability and ability to be bent into the desired shape, metal was something we wanted to employ. Because metal is more tensile, stronger, and heat resistant than plastic, we also selected it. Since plastic offers superior durability at a comparatively cheap lifetime cost as compared to competing materials, we pick it because of its strength-to-weight ratio, stiffness and toughness, ductility, corrosion resistance, bio-inertness, excellent thermal insulation, and non-toxicity. Also, the filament that we had available for our 3D printers was exclusively made of plastic, so it was a no-brainer.
4. How can we produce it these materials ?
To obtain more VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials for the production of electric wheelchairs, there are several possible strategies that the engineering team could consider:
Contact suppliers and distributors: The team could reach out to VEX Robotics, the manufacturer of VEX V5 components, and inquire about bulk purchasing options or discounts for educational or non-profit organizations. Similarly, they could contact 3D printing material suppliers to see if they offer discounts or special pricing for bulk orders.
Seek funding and partnerships: The team could explore funding opportunities from grant-making organizations, government agencies, or private donors. They could also seek partnerships with organizations that share similar goals or values, such as non-profits focused on improving mobility access for people with disabilities.
Recycle and reuse materials: The team could investigate ways to recycle and reuse materials from existing electric wheelchairs that are no longer in use or are in need of repairs. This could involve salvaging functioning parts or using 3D printing materials made from recycled plastic.
Establish a supply chain: The team could work to establish a reliable and sustainable supply chain for VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials. This could involve building relationships with local suppliers or distributors, or exploring international sourcing options to find the best prices and quality.
By implementing these strategies, the engineering team could obtain the necessary VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials to produce electric wheelchairs at scale, while also minimizing costs and waste. With a reliable supply of materials, the team could focus on refining the production process and improving the quality and accessibility of their electric wheelchairs.
Engineering Process: Plan
Conceptualize
Define the problem and establish project goals: In the first step of the engineering design process, the engineering team should define the problem that the electric wheelchair project aims to solve. For example, the team may identify the need for a wheelchair that can be controlled through head movement to provide greater mobility and independence for people with limited hand function. Once the problem is defined, the team should establish project goals and objectives that align with the problem statement. For example, the team may set a goal to develop a reliable, cost-effective electric wheelchair that is easy to maneuver and comfortable to use.
Conduct user research and gather requirements: In the second step, the engineering team should conduct user research and gather requirements from end-users and other stakeholders. This step is critical to ensure that the electric wheelchair meets the needs and expectations of the people who will use it. The team may conduct interviews, surveys, or focus groups with people who have mobility disabilities to gather feedback on what features and capabilities they would like to see in an electric wheelchair. The team should also gather input from healthcare professionals, caregivers, and other stakeholders who may have valuable insights into the needs of the target audience.
Create
Generate design concepts and evaluate alternatives: With the problem and requirements defined, the engineering team can begin generating design concepts and evaluating alternatives. The team may use a variety of tools and techniques to brainstorm and develop ideas, such as sketching, prototyping, and 3D modeling. The team should evaluate each concept against the project goals and requirements and consider factors such as feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.
Develop detailed designs and prototypes: Once the team has selected a design concept, they can begin developing detailed designs and creating prototypes to test and refine the design. The team should use feedback from end-users and other stakeholders to refine the design and make improvements as necessary. This step may involve multiple rounds of prototyping and testing to ensure that the electric wheelchair meets the project goals and requirements.
Purpose
The purpose of repetitive testing in the engineering design process is to evaluate the performance of the electric wheelchair design under different conditions and to identify any areas for improvement. By conducting repeated tests, the engineering team can gain a better understanding of how the wheelchair performs in various scenarios and identify any potential weaknesses or issues that may need to be addressed.
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