Introduction to the Design Process

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 

Definition of Design -

• Engineering design is the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. 

• It is a decision-making process (often iterative), in which the engineering sciences and mathematics are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective. 

• Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing and evaluation. 

• Mechanical design means the design of components and systems of a mechanical nature—machines, products, structures, devices and instruments. 

• For the most part mechanical design uses mathematics, materials, and the engineering-mechanics sciences. 

• Additionally, it uses engineering graphics and the ability to communicate verbally to clearly express your ideas.

• Mechanical engineering design includes all mechanical design, but it is a broader study because it includes all the disciplines of mechanical engineering, such as the thermal fluids and heat transfer sciences too. 

• Aside from the fundamental sciences which are required, the first studies in mechanical engineering design are in mechanical design, and that is the approach taken in this course.  

Steps of the Design-

1. Recognise the need
2. Problem definition
3. Gathering of information
4. Concept generation
5. Concept selection
6. Communication
7. Detailed design and analysis
8. Prototype and testing
9. Manufacturing
10. life cycle maintenance

Design considerations (in no particular order) 

• strength 
• cost 
• flexibility 
• reliability 
• safety 
• control 
• thermal
• properties 
• weight 
• stiffness 
• corrosion 
• life 
• surface 
• finish 
• wear 
• noise 
• lubrication 
• friction 
• styling
• maintenance
• ergonomics 
• shape 
• volume 
• utility 
• size 
• liability
• manufacturability 
• speed 

Job of Design Engineer

• You get to plan what others are going to produce .
• You work tirelessly on your imagination
• Its a hide and seek game between dimensions ; boundary limits and imagination
• It challenges your software handling expertise
• Most importantly,you get a close inside view of all the inner parts of a complete manufactured product.