1. 4th Edition
Chapter 21
Design Step #1:
Defining the Problem

2. Welcome to the Design Studio What You Will Learn
Design in not a closed or open one-dimensional exercise – need teams to interact in design
Conflicting requirements mean you have to assess what is needed
Once you have a problem understood, you need a List of Specifications
Demanded and Wished for constraints
Milestone # 1: Clarification of the Task

3. Problem Definition
Read the specifications fully to determine if the correct problem is being posed.
E.g., Complaints that a tall building's elevator is slow may mean you have to install another elevator at great expense or it might mean put soothing music on the main floors and provide clientele with morning coffee
Exploring Engineering

4. Blimp Problem
Competition required that Nerf® balls be retrieved and returned to a blimp base.
But who said you needed to build a blimp to perform retrieval?
But, if this were a commercial contract, you would have to check first with your customer if you deviate from a blimp design
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5. List of Specifications
Specifications may be of 2 kinds: 1) Demanded design elements and 2) Wished for design elements
Don’t confuse the two!
Be specific as possible and use numbers where possible e.g., not “heavy” but “2.5 kg” etc.
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6. Table of Common Categories for Specifications
Performance
Manufacture
Geometry
Standards
Materials
Safety
Energy
Transport
Time
Ergonomics
Cost
Weight
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7. Example: Design and Build an "Autogolfer"
Separate out Demand (D) from Wish (W) Specs D
Cost < $600
Single unit for drive and putt
Remote Control
Portable
Max # of RC servers = 8
Passes safety inspection
Can’t touch ball until shot
Supports fit within 3 ft circle
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8. Example Continued Performance specifications D Remote triggering
Can’t touch ball until stroke
Adjustable drive 15 to 250 yards
Adjustable putting 0 to 15 yards
Operate on 45º slope W
Sink 95% of putts  3 ft
Driving 5 yards
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9. Example Continued Geometry D 8 RC servos Single unit 3 foot circle
Materials W
Not degrade in rain snow, 30ºF
Time
Ready to go < 14 weeks
Cost
 $600 (exclusive of radios)
Manufacture
Can use available tools
Necessary skills in team
Off-the-shelf parts as possible
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10. Example Concluded Standards D Radios OK for FAA regs Safety
Must pass safety review
Transport
Must be portable W
Should fit in a car or small truck
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11. Assignment: Design Milestones and Clarification of the Task
If general design project
1) Interview customer
or 2) Take product survey
Typed list of specs
If design competition
1) Review rules
Ask to clarify
Typed list requirements
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12. Design Workshop Design is inherently multidimensional
Accordingly we need a method that will allow for the competing functionalities
Start by envisaging the specifications on the item to be designed
Form teams to share and stimulate ideas
1st cut: separate into what is necessary and what might help
Design milestone: Clarification of the Task
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