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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