THE DESIGN PROCESS Ralf Hotchkiss Whirlwind February 14 2008 WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SUPER ENGINEER Creativity and Analytical skills Great engineers know when to use both Know when to use enough Both can be improved with practice Have a passion for what you do February 14 2008 POWER OF THE DESIGN PROCESS Break down a complex system into manageable chunks Applicable to any system in any area of engineering or any other project February 14 2008 DETERMINISTIC DESIGN Make engineering choices for a reason Determine what best engineering decision Example Factors cost size time color etc Manage your projects effectively Time money performance Always have a backup plan First rule of engineering it rarely works perfectly the first time February 14 2008 MONITOR COST VS PERFORMANCE Use your energy effectively to achieve worthwhile performance Don t reinvent the wheel if you are only go 1 faster Cost is not just money it is also time spent February 14 2008 THE DETERMINISTIC DESIGN PROCESS Start vague and gradually become specific 1 Strategy A PLAN of how to do something with no specific embodiment 2 Concept Idea for DEVICE to fulfill need rough physical picture 3 Module Important aspect of design exlinkage motor color scheme 4 Component Specific part design February 14 2008 THE DETERMINISTIC DESIGN PROCESS February 14 2008 BE DETERMINISTIC AT EVERY STAGE OF THE PROCESS FRDPARRC Your new best friend FR Functional Requirements WHAT the design has to do DP Design Parameters HOW the design is going to meet the FR A Analysis justify your decisions can be qualitative or quantitative R Research don t reinvent the wheel R Risk what is going to bit you in the ass if it doesn t work C Countermeasure If S T hits fan how can you maintain progress Identify your Design Freedoms What elements of the local environment or available resources can you capitalize on Identify your Design Constraints What material processes resources knowledge etc can you absolutely not use IT S TIME TO DESIGN Example FR Allow a person who is disabled to have mobility February 14 2008 EAST AFRICAN MOBILITY AIDS Examples of how strategy choice vary by region Motivation UK designed locally made Whirlwind USA designed locally made Locally designed locally made Wheelchair Foundation USA designed made in China Free Wheelchair Mission USA designed made in China February 14 2008 CAPITALIZING ON DESIGN FREEDOMS Treadle pump See Movie February 14 2008 CAPITALIZING ON DESIGN FREEDOMS Bicycle component usage and hub designs February 14 2008 CHOOSING PROJECT TEAMS http web mit edu sp 784 www projects html PROPOSED February 14 2008 HOMEWORK FOR NEXT WEEK Read Nothing about us without us Focus on designing for specific problems and utilizing local materials Read 2 007 Design Process notes Coordinate with lab instructor and choose lab time I will email each team who their lab instructor is and make email lists Email mentors and community partners Define your functional requirements and outline your project strategy Ask your community partners and mentors for input February 14 2008 STRATEGY PRESENTATION What is expected for the strategy presentation Define the problem what are you trying to solve and why is it worth solving Who are you working with and what will they add What are the functional requirements of the problem What design parameters strategies for solving your problem did you consider What is your chosen strategy and how will you develop it through the semester February 14 2008