ME 470 – Engineering Design Processes and Methodology Design Project Selection Due: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Overview Each group will be applying the techniques outlined in the Ulrich and Eppinger textbook to perform a conceptual design (design up to but not including detail design and prototyping). To do that, each group will select an area of opportunity (unmet need, problem, etc.) that their design will address. We will be looking mostly at designs that solve problems that have small market demands because many of these problems haven’t been completely addressed by the marketplace. Therefore, significant design and marketing opportunities are still available. Examples include: Problem 1 – Energy Harvesting The Rose campus is facing a change in energy costs such that we pay more as energy demand at the energy provider increases. Consequently, additional energy sources or more efficient use of energy would be helpful. Designs for energy harvesting depend on the source of the energy Use of Waste Heat: Devices like power supplies, heat exchangers, and boilers can produce waste heat (that does no work). Using this heat to accomplish some other task (thermoelectric generator, environment for microorganisms, etc.) is the goal. Use of Mass Student Energy: -Significant energy is used in movement of people between classes or at the SRC. The design of devices that could capture and/or store some of this energy is a possible choice. Use of Individual Student Energy: Most students have devices that need periodic recharge (phones, MP3 players, computers). A system could be designed to capturing energy from normal motion and supply it to the desired device. Problem 2 – DOE Demonstration Device Design of Experiments is a topic that is often taught with the example of data generated by the students. In our class we are using catapults to generate the data. Instructors would like to see other options for data generation. The devices should be small, inexpensive, easy to use, reliable, and especially, be interesting to the students. The device should have adjustments for several factors and levels. The device cannot be a catapult. Problem 3 – Assistive Device Handwriting: A number of people have difficulty with handwriting due to tremors (Essential Tremor, Parkinson’s, etc.). They would still like to be able to hand write small things like checks, grocery lists, Sudoku puzzles, and birthdaycards that are not well suited to use of a printer. A variety of means have been used for stabilization of everything from airplanes to cameras. Again, a small, relatively inexpensive device that’s not too Darth Vader would be desired. Eye Drops: Glaucoma treatment can require the use of eye drops. Many people have difficulty consistently placing the correct dosage in the correct location. A device that would accomplish this task could be desired. Problem 4 – Automatic Burr/Flash Removal for Plastic parts Many machining operations leave burrs (small ridges at the edges of holes and other machined surfaces). Injection molding operations tend to leave flash at the parting line. These extra bits of material can cause physical interference or, if they become dislodged can cause wear or plug passageways. Many of the burr removal processes for metals will be excessive for softer polymers. Develop a burr or flash reduction system for polymers. Problem 5 – Aerosol Delivery System Legislation continues to restrict the use of volatile organic compounds, VOCs. Current handheld aerosol devices for spray paint primarily use a mixture of low boiling point hydrocarbons to provide the pressure. We are planning for the day when regulation prevents the use of hydrocarbons or make their use prohibitively expensive. Develop a handheld system for aerosol delivery of paint that would replace the current aerosol paint can. Problem 6 - Your Choice Your design should address a problem that is not currently well addressed in the marketplace. It should be primarily a mechanical device, but certainly can have electrical or software components. It should be simple enough to be conceptually designed in a few weeks. Something like a three ring binder is too simple and something like a Segway is too complicated. Something like a portable light source (e.g. flashlight) or a handheld, powered screwdriver are about right in terms of complexity (though may be well solved). This is an opportunity to select something that you would like to bring to market or is a particular opportunity for those who would like to lay the groundwork for a Capstone Design Project (ME 471, ME 472). For example, you may have had an internship experience or be in an on-campus design group like REV or HPV that has given you an idea for an unmet need.Tasks: 1. Select a design opportunity. When you are considering your options, recognize that you will need to interview stakeholders, research and bench mark existing devices, identify standards and regulations and develop three possible conceptual designs to address the problem. If you have chosen Problem 6, clearly outline how your project meets the criteria (mechanical, appropriate complexity) and get this project preapproved by your instructor. 2. Categorize your design opportunity using Exhibit 2-4 (page 19 of the text). Your design will be either Technology Push or Market Pull and then likely include one or more other process types. Justify your selections (approximately one paragraph per Process Type.) 3. Turn in your approved choice by the end of lab Tuesday, September 7,