What is Engineering Design?A lose method engineers follow

Finding the best change, with limited resources, in an environment of uncertainty

The creation of a new product, service, or processFinding the “optimum compromise” or the “best set

of tradeoffs” to solve a complex problemKeywords that characterize Engineering Design are:

Synthesis, Analysis, Communication, ImplementationCreativity, Iteration, Tradeoffs

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 basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences 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.

It includes realistic constraints such as economic factors, safety, reliability, aesthetics, ethics, and social impact.

Engineering Design Requires:Knowledge

Of engineering, science, math, economics, manufacturing processes, etc.

CreativityQ: Is it taught or are you born with it? A: We all have some, and it can be cultivated

(grown)People Skills

Communication, personal selling, conflict resolutionPlanning Ability

Coordinating suppliers, artisans, technicians, etc.

Four Umbrellas of Eng. DesignSynthesis

Combining various elements into an integrated wholeAnalysis

Using math, science, economics, and other “sciences” to Quantify performance, tradeoffs, costs, and other limited

resourcesCommunication

Engineering drawings, formal presentations, written summaries, oral communication skills (formal and informal)

Implementation The construction or execution of the plan

The Design Process (not rigid!)

The Design Process (not rigid!)

The Design Process (not rigid!)

The Design Process (not rigid!)

IterationDefinition:

Also called successive approximation. A problem-solving or computational method in which a succession of approximations, each building on the one preceding, is used to achieve a desired degree of accuracy.

How it applies to Engineering Design:Often, some of the information needed at the

beginning of the design is not known until later steps are completed.

This requires engineers to cycle backwards.You’re not doing it wrong!

Examples of Engineering ScienceElectric Circuit TheoryStatics & DynamicsThermodynamicsStrength of MaterialsSignals and Systems

Characteristics of Engineering Science Problems:Well-posed: problem statement is complete,

unambiguous, free from internal contradiction.

Unique solution: answer typically a number, set of numbers, or symbolic.

Closure: it is easy to recognize when problem has been solved and answer has been obtained.

Specialized knowledge: when taking circuits, expect homework problems in circuits, not thermodynamics or economics.

Teaching/Learning DesignDesign is open-ended and ill-structuredOpen-ended: Many acceptable solutions, some

better than othersIll-structured: Solutions cannot be found be

following a rote, step-by-step processAmbiguousIll-definedConsequently, there is a studio aspect to learning

design – Learning by doingGaining experienceDeveloping skills

On “Calculating” a Design“There is no systematic thinking procedure in

inventive design… New thoughts feed back to change preceding thoughts. You must think of all considerations at the same time; thinking must be parallel rather than serial.

(continued)“You consult others… and they add to the

conflicting ideas. You delegate part of the work to subordinates, and when you see their work, you decide to make changes, and they say “Why didn’t you tell me what you wanted in the first place?” (The answer is that if you were infinitely smart you would have.)…

(continued)“You design from the outside in and from the

inside out. You are in constant mental turmoil. If you have coworkers that turmoil appears among you. With mutual respect it is constructive, as in brainstorming sessions, but with tender egos, conflicting political motives, and disrespect, it generates quarrels.

(continued) “There is continuing change until the freeze

bell rings. If you worry that you have been doing something wrong because your thoughts were not proceeding in an orderly fashion, accept consolation; that is the way a mere mortal designer works.”

From “Understanding Electro-Mechanical Engineering”, Lawrence Kamm