Engineering Design and Development Choosing a Topic Engineering Design and Development

One of the toughest parts of an open ended design project can be deciding what you will work on. Engineers do not just solve problems, they must identify and define them first. Over the next few weeks, you will do research to become an expert on the problem you identify. So how do we find a problem worth solving? "Inventions have long since reached their limit, and I see no hope for further developments.“  Roman Engineer Julius Sextus Frontinus - 10 A.D.

Strategies for Brainstorming Possible Problems Choosing a Topic Strategies for Brainstorming Possible Problems Personal Experience or Interests What Do You Know? What Do You Love? Don’t You Hate It When . . . 5 Common Attack Paths Technical – People are complaining about… Health and Safety – People are hurt or killed by… Legal – People are being sued because… Education – Education programs exist to prevent… Economics – Lack of a solution to this problem costs….. Global Challenges

1. Define and Justify a Problem Why EDD? Engineering Design and Development Lesson 1.1 Overview and Expectations An Engineering Design Process - Research 1. Define and Justify a Problem Brainstorm possible project problems. Research and select a valid problem. Become an expert on the problem. Justify the problem through research. Academic Market Write a problem statement. Document and analyze prior solutions. Identify design requirements. Create a Project Proposal.

Choosing a Valid and Justified Topic Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name Choosing a Valid and Justified Topic Best results typically come from choosing something .. That is your idea, not another classmate’s or the instructor’s. In which you have a vested interest. That will keep your interest for the rest of the year. That has the potential to make a difference. [This slide should be strongly emphasized. Although students will be in groups and will have to compromise some, choosing a topic will dictate to some extent which group they choose to work with and how much they will need to compromise. Students may be unfamiliar with the phrase vested interest. Their topic solutions should affect them personally or some person or group that they for care very much.]

Poor craftsmanship of an existing product is not justification. Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name Choosing a Justified Topic Pitfalls to avoid… Poor craftsmanship of an existing product is not justification. I can build it better! Making it for a lower cost is not justification. I can make it cheaper! Pointing to other products is not justification. This product exists so there must be a problem! (Hint; Can you figure out that designers justification to pursue that solution? that investors will consider when deciding whether or not to invest in product development.

What Happens After Brainstorming Topics? Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name What Happens After Brainstorming Topics? Becoming an Expert Step 1 (individual) – Areas of Interest Step 2 (individual) – Large problems within area(s) of interest Step 3 (individual/team) – Manageable problem(s) within area of interest Step 4 (team) – Preliminary research Step 5 (team) – Justify the problem Step 6 (team) – Concise problem statement. You problem statement will continue to evolve as you become an expert. After you’ve brainstormed some potential topics, you’ll need to do additional work to in order to write a useful problem statement that concisely defines a valid problem that you can successfully solve within the constraints of EDD.

Piling on of ideas welcome Free-for-all Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name Brainstorming Review A process undertaken to solve a problem by rapidly generating a variety of possible solutions. Rules No criticism allowed Work for quantity 10 to 15 possible problems from each person in the class is a great target to shoot for. Piling on of ideas welcome Free-for-all The rules of brainstorming are a little different for an individual versus a group due to the nature of group interaction. Both stress the generation of many ideas quickly. No criticism allowed: People automatically tend to evaluate each suggested idea – their own, as well as others. Refrain from making negative comments. Work for quantity: People must experience “brain-drain” before the innovative, creative ideas can surface. Therefore, the more ideas, the more likely they are to be quality ideas. Piling on: Piling on occurs when one member’s idea produces a similar idea or an enhanced idea. All ideas should be recorded.

Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic Choosing a Topic Engineering Design and Development Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Identify a Valid Problem Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic Your Personal Experiences and Interests Don’t You Hate It When . . Have you seen something you wished were fixed! ©iStockphoto.com What Do You Know? Are you already an expert at something? What Do You Love? Do you want to help people? Hobbies?

Strategies for Brainstorming What Do You Know? Brainstorm a list of what you know best or in what areas you have expertise. Rank them based on your interest. Note some areas that might need improvement or redevelopment related to the items on your list.

Passion-driven Rank them based on your interest. Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name Strategies for Brainstorming What Do You Love? Brainstorm some topics that you are passionate about, but in which you may not have expertise. Rank them based on your interest. Note some areas that might need improvement or redevelopment related to the items on your list. You might need to conduct further research to learn more about the topic. Think about your favorite activities, hobbies, pets, and belongings. What sports do you like? What consumable products can you not live without? Other ways to phrase the questions include: What kinds of magazines would you purchase at a news stand? What do you spend money on? What do you do for enjoyment? Passion-driven

Frustration-driven Brainstorm about situations that are frustrating. Presentation Name Engineering Design and Development Unit # – Lesson #.# – Lesson Name Strategies for Brainstorming Don’t You Hate It When . . . Brainstorm about situations that are frustrating. Rank them based on your level of frustration with each. You might need to conduct further research to learn more about the topic. What annoys you? When you think about it, you can probably list a number of instances in which things didn’t go as expected or as you would have liked. In the last week, what has happened that has caused you irritation? Did something not work correctly or break at an inopportune time? Was it difficult to operate something or complete a task that should have been much simpler than it was? Does a task take too long? Is the operation of a product too difficult, messy, loud, inefficient, etc.? What situations/products have resulted in damage or injury? Some of these ideas might be related to topics from the previous two brainstorming lists. [More suggestions for potential topics can be found on the Brainstorming Help document found in the curriculum.] Frustration-driven

Economics Identify Problem Technical Problems Strategies for Brainstorming Five Common Attack Paths to Finding a Justified Problem Economics Health & Safety Lack of a solution to this problem costs….. People are hurt or killed by… Identify Problem Legal Issues Technical Problems People are suing because… Educational People a complaining about… Education programs exist to prevent… 13

Global challenges may the toughest to solve in EDD! Strategies for Brainstorming Global Challenges Energy Transportation Water Resources Land Use Pollution Be careful. These global may be well defined, but a solution you may come up with must be original and completed in the time you have with the limiting constraints you face. Global challenges may the toughest to solve in EDD! 14

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Fertigator Sip and Drip Small Bore Air Rifle Target Changer Sip and Drip - The design shows a proposed solution to the problem of ice cream cones dripping, breaking, and creating a mess. Small Bore Air Rifle Target Changer – Remote target changers and remote position changers currently exist. However, no device is available that does both. This device allows a target shooter to change targets and the position of targets remotely. Fertigator – This EDD project is called the Fertigator. It was designed to water and fertilize residential plants. It utilizes a tube with small holes that extends to the root zone of the plants and a removable cap into which a fertilizer capsule can be placed. A Better Crutch – This design resulted from problems with existing crutch designs identified by patients and health care workers. Ecco Fridge – This design incorporated the use of cool outside air in northern climates to reduce energy consumption for refrigeration. Paint Ball Helmet – The paint ball helmet design incorporates a built-in camera and recording chip. A Better Crutch Ecco Fridge Paint Ball Hemet

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Garage Door Notification System Car Visor Stop Light Assist Practice Pitch Return Visible Toaster Car Visor Stop Light Assist – When a car is stopped at a traffic light and the car is facing directly into the sun at certain times of the day, it is difficult to see which lamp is illuminated in the traffic light (red, yellow, or green). This visor has a camera and LED screen that allows the driver to see a stoplight when the sun is directly behind (for instance, when a driver is facing west at sunset). Garage Door Notification System – Many people drive away from home and can not remember if they closed their garage door. Many accidentally leave a garage door opened overnight. This system sends you a text message if your garage door is left open longer than 20 minutes. Practice Pitch Return – It is sometimes difficult for pitchers to find a partner with which to practice pitching. Many catchers do not like to help pitchers practice because it is tough on their knees and they want to spend their time at batting practice. This device allows a baseball/softball pitcher to practice throwing strikes without requiring a catcher to return the ball. What makes this device particularly unique is the ability to switch from baseballs to softballs. Visible Toaster – The level of “doneness” indicated on many toasters is arbitrary and non-descriptive. It is often difficult to determine how brown a bagel or piece of bread is while hidden within a toaster, sometimes resulting in under- or over-toasting. The Visible Toaster Design allows the user to monitor the darkness of the toast as it is toasting.

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Improved Marching Band Music Holder Utili-Tool Snow Blower Clog Remover Improved Marching Band Music Holder – The improved music holder, called a lyre, solves many of the problems that exist with current lyre designs. Utili-Tool – This product was designed to unclog the chute of a snow blower after it becomes clogged with snow and ice during use. The Utili-tool included a chuck on the front onto into which various tools (such as an auger or brush) could be fit and then rotated at high speed to dislodge the clog. Here the students are using a torque meter to measure the torque (in foot-pounds) that their design generated. Forearm Workout Device – This product was designed to attach to any weight bar. It works out the forearms while the individual performs other lifts. Portable Basketball System Forearm Workout Device Portion Control Calculator

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Cross Country Training Ski RFDI Tag Controlled Light Cross Country Training Ski – This training ski provides more effective training by better mimicking the motion of cross country skiing. RFDI Tag Controlled Light – This product is designed to deter people without handicapped parking permits from parking in handicapped parking spaces. A computer chip (intended to be activated by the Department of Motor Vehicles) would be embedded in the handicapped parking tag that hangs from rearview mirrors in vehicles. A device on the handicapped traffic sign would receive the signal and flash a light when a valid tag is within range. Better Garbage Disposal – Students worked with a GE employee (who holds several patents) to develop a kitchen sink garbage disposal that wouldn’t jam when larger solid food wastes (such as chicken bones) were inserted. Snowplow-Proof Mail Box – This design allows the mailbox to swing up and around, if it is hit by a vehicle. The mailbox automatically returns to the main position. Snowplow-Proof Mail Box Better Garbage Disposal

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Hands Free Lighting Device (left) with Circuit and FDM (fused deposition model) (above) Boat Hull Cleaner Automatic Watering System Tubeless Non-Flattening Tire Temperature Sensing, Self-Regulating Blinds

Examples of EDD Projects Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Examples of EDD Projects What was the problem? Touch Screen Order Entry System No Mess Urinal Device Touch Screen Order Entry System for fast food drive through windows – This system allows direct entry of an order and is designed to eliminate order errors by an order taker. It allows for additions and holds and keeps a running total of the order. The students used Lab View to create the program. This order error problem was suggested by a small independent company that is currently using this system at 2 stores. No Mess Urinal Device – This device, created by Team Spill, addresses the problem of excessive liquid spills and the resulting odor and floor tile damage near urinals in male restrooms. The device was designed to create an interactive “game-type” experience when using the urinal. The device includes a pressure sensor with a digital display that measures pressure and volume of a steady stream of liquid. The device uses technology similar to that used in carnival water balloon games. Dog Self-Exercising Machine for high energy pets – This device launches a tennis ball. Once the dog retrieves the ball, the device allows the dog (once trained) to reload and re-launch the ball without human intervention. Electrolysis Devices – These devices are designed to produce hydrogen (for hydrogen fuel cells) through electrolysis of water. Water is contained between two polycarbonate sheets, with a metal plate in the middle. A current is passed through the metal plate and the hydrogen and oxygen are drawn off with the tubes. Dog Self-Exercising Machine Electrolysis Devices

Brainstorming Possible Problems Prototypes Engineering Design and Development Lesson 4.1 Plan for the Prototype Brainstorming Possible Problems As you and you class begin brainstorming possible problems for your project, It may help to do a little research to make sure you are on the right path to a justified problem. Can you show others think it is a problem worth solving at a basic level? Articles supporting your claim? More systematics research will be required later.

Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (n. d. ). Clip art Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx iStockphoto. Retrieved from http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php Dimension Printing. Retrieved from www.dimensionprinting.com Thanks to EDD teachers who shared images of student prototypes