ME3101 / ME3102Mechanical Systems DesignChapter 8Elements of a Good Report

Elements of a Good Report

A good report have to be:

•Readable

•Clearly organized in a logical manner

•Sequential

•Formal

Elements of a Good ReportA general outline for contents should include the following:

•Title Page

•Table of Contents

•Introduction

•Outline of design requirements

•Objectives

•Identification of constraints/Considerations

•Proposed designs

•Final selected design

•Possible improvements?

•Conclusion

Outline of Design Requirements

The outline of design requirements should accomplish:

•The performance standards required of the new product

•Or the problems related with the existing product that requires improvement

•Rough outline of its physical dimensions and applications

Outline of Design Requirements

The objectives of the project should be:

•Specific

•Measurable

•Attainable

•Realistic

•TimelyFor example:

•The product will be able to accelerate to a speed of 10m/s within 1m

•The product is designed to withstand stresses up to 50MPa

•The product will be easily assembled/dissembled

Identification of Constraints/Considerations

Other than technical specifications, take into consideration the following:

•Ergonomics

•Aesthetics

•Cost limitations?

•Environment of product application

•Lifespan of product/Reliability

•End user ability to operate

Are there any other non-specification details that you should look into?

Proposed Designs

Include the variations of designs you have come up with, to illustrate your team’s design process.

Making comparisons between the different designs, explain on how you have arrived at your final design and why is it best for its application?

Final Design

The final product design should be well described in the report, containing details such as:

•Mechanical Properties

•Thermal Properties

•Electrical Properties

•Costs

•Raw Materials Required

•Etc.

Final Design

Also, include a detailed drawing of the product from different views within the report.

This is meant to help you communicate your product design to the reader.

Citations

A formal mode of citation is required if information is obtained from 3rd party sources.

For example:

…arcing is caused by the electrical breakdown of the air when its dielectric strength is exceeded (breakdown voltage of air is 26kV/cm at 1 atm) [25].

Under References..

[25] M. A. Laughton & D. F.Warne (2003), Electrical engineer's reference book, Newnes, Chap. 7.3

Citations

Another example..

[3] Jones, J., 2000, Contact Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, Chap. 6.

You can also refer to the link below and search under Mechanical Engineering Citation Style:

http://libraryguides.lehigh.edu/content.php?pid=74782&sid=553723