Morphological Analysis GE 105 Introduction to Engineering Design College of Engineering King Saud University October, 2012

Creative Thinking Techniques… (Idea Generation) Techniques for creative thinking are classified to the way in which they assist the memory scan. The techniques can be grouped as: 1. Idea Stimulation ( Analogy) 3. Brainstorming (Group Activity) 3.Morphological Analysis. To produce alternative (possible) designs and to evaluate them.

2. Idea Stimulation by Analogy Copy ideas from nature, wild life, etc... The solution of problems by analogy is done when the designer has an interest in everything around him. Marc Brunel observed that a worm tunneling through timber (wood) constructed a tube for itself. The construction of a tunnel under the Thames was the result of the observation. 3

3. Group Activity: Brainstorming Group of people are gathered to stimulate the development of ideas. The group activities provide greater range of memory store. The development of search technique is improved upon the interaction between individuals. The basic "rules of the game" are: 1.Define the problem to be solved. 2.Do not criticize or pass judgment during the ideation phase. 3.All ideas are welcomed and listed. 4.Develop as many ideas as possible. 5.Combination and development of ideas is encouraged. 4

Morphological Analysis … X 2 -3x+2=0 (1) X 3 +5X 2 -3x+2=0 (2) 5 GE 121 Engineering Design--2012

Example :Sweet Feature (attribute, function)Options colorRed, white, green, yellow Flavor peach, Bananas, Apple SugarHigh, medium, low, free 6

Steps 1.Develop a matrix grid contains the features and options. 2.Generate number of potential concepts (number of designs). 3.Develop a matrix for weights and rates 4.Sum (Weight X Rate) for each design. The BEST design has highest score. Evaluation

Example You are asked to design a clothes-washing machine considering the following features: Machine body material, Internal drum rotational axis direction, Ground support, and Safety measures. 1.Use morphological analysis to generate three concepts (designs). 2.Set up a methodology to select the “best” concept for implementation considering criteria, weight and rate.

Step 1 Feature (attribute, function) Options Body MaterialsPlastic, Steel. Internal drum rotationVertical, Horizontal Ground supportWheels with stoppers, Plastics supports, Steel supports. Safety measuresFuses, Warning alarms, Red lights alarms.

Step 2 Generate Three Concepts (designs) Design (1): Steel, vertical rotation, plastic support and fuses. Design (2): Plastic, vertical rotation, wheels with stoppers and warning alarms. Design (3): Plastic, horizontal rotation, steel supports and red light.

Step 3 Criteria and Weights CriteriaWeights Safety 30 Cost 20 Stability 20 Efficiency 10 Durability 20 Total 100

Step 3 Rates Minimum 5 options AExcellent أوافق بشدة 5 B Very good أوافق 4 C good اوافق الى حد ما 3 D fair لا اوافق 2 E bad لا اوافق مطلقا 1 Example of rating best worst

Step 3&4 Criteria SafetyCostStabilityEfficiencyDurabilityScore Weight Concept (Design) Design 1 Rate23555 Total Design 2 Rate54553 Total Design 3 Rate34523 Total RATE: 5 best………1 worst Step 4: Hence, the best design is design (2)

Remember Create a grid (matrix) of all the possibilities. Begin eliminating impossible combinations. Then eliminate un-reasonable combinations. Eliminate useless combinations. Then eliminate expensive combinations. What is left should give you a number of design features and alternatives. Creating a combination of these working features with one another to produce, say, three or more concepts. Weight and Rate these various concepts using good criteria to reach an optimal design! During Eliminations, Remember: Some ideas are crazy and un- applicable for various reasons. Some combinations are a must. Some combinations are impossible. Some ideas are expensive. Some ideas are just not available for implementation at this day and age.

Sketches Some designers use sketches to show some alternative meansor thumbnails

Example :Sweet Feature (attribute, function)Options color 16

Morphological Analysis- Example 2 Design a device for picking, packaging, and transporting vegetables. Show the idea clearly