1. Introduction to Engineering Design
4th Edition
Chapter 19
Introduction to Engineering Design

2. What you will learn Minds-on transition to Hands-on
Nature of Engineering Design
Not singled value answers
Importance of teaming and characteristics of a good designer.
Two ground rules for successful designing
Need for a systematic approach
Hands-on exercise – the Tower
Exploring Engineering

3. What’s Unique about Design?
Unlike homework problems, there are NO unique answers! Design is a balance of competing requirements.
E.g., you could make an airplane that would be 100% safe in an accident – but it would be too heavy to fly!
How do you achieve a design balance among competing criteria?
Most designs are hands-on, meaning you have to build and test a working prototype.
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4. Every Design Project …
Teams are needed because the magnitude of most projects is too large for one person to handle
A good designer is curious about how things work
A good designer can manage several simultaneous tasks
A good designer has a clear understanding of where to go
A good designer engages all the team members
A good designer pushes the team without seeming to
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5. Ground Rules for any Design
Use a Design Notebook*
Put ideas, notes, graphs, sketches etc. in the notebook so others can follow your thinking and your design.
If some competitor claims prior invention (in a legal suit or a patent contest) you will have a clear, dated, signed response that will be accepted in any court
* A page numbered, margined, lined, “lab notebook” available in any office supply store, pharmacy, college book store etc.
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6. Ground Rules for any Design
Teaming and the team leader (if any)
Team leader may be assigned or spontaneously arise from the team
Team leader is a participant, not a supervisor, and leads by example
Successful teams assign clear roles and work assignments
Team leader fosters good internal communication in the team
Shares leadership responsibilities
Team decisions by consensus
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7. Systematic Approach 1 Define the problem 2
Generate alternative concepts 3
Evaluate and select a concept 4
Detail the design 5
Design defense 6
Manufacture and test 7
Evaluate performance 8
Prepare the final design report
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8. A Teaming Exercise – the Tower
Build the tallest tower from sheets of paper
Teams of about people
Each team has 5 sheets of std 8.5” × 11” paper
Two teams get a roll of Scotch tape®
Two teams get roll of duct tape
Two teams get a box of paper clips
Two teams get a pair of scissors
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9. A Teaming Exercise – the Tower
Teams have 10 minutes to complete the project
One point awarded/inch of tower
First finished awarded 10 points
Teams indicate when they want tower measured
Only supplied materials can be used
Tower must be built on a flat surface
After 3 minutes one individual/team will be offered 8 points to shift to another team
There are teams and individual winners …
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10. Post Tower Discussion
Was the quality of teaming equal among teams? Within teams?
Could everyone contribute in your team?
Were any of the supplied materials shared among teams?
Did the proper materials make the design easier?
Was it ethical to jump to another team, or not share materials?
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