How we work?
PROCESS
- Michael Jordan -
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Research
A significant amount of time is spent on research, or locating information. Consideration should be given to the existing applicable literature, problems and successes associated with existing solutions, costs, and marketplace needs.
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Conceptualisation
Once an engineering issue is clearly defined, solutions must be identified. These solutions can be found by using idealisation, or the mental process by which ideas are generated. The following are the most widely used techniques: trigger word; morphological chart; synthetics; brainstorming.
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Feasibility assessment
The purpose of a feasibility assessment is to determine whether the engineer's project can proceed into the design phase. This is based on two criteria: the project needs to be based on an achievable idea, and it needs to be within cost constraints. It is of utmost importance to have an engineer with experience and good judgement to be involved in this portion of the feasibility study, for they know whether the engineer's project is possible or not.
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Establishing the design requirements
Establishing design requirements is one of the most important elements in the design process, and this task is normally performed at the same time as and the feasibility analysis. The design requirements control the design of the project throughout the engineering design process. Some design requirements include hardware and software parameters, maintainability, availability, and test-ability.
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Preliminary design
The preliminary design bridges the gap between the design concept and the detailed design phase. In this task, the overall system configuration is defined, and schematics, diagrams, and layouts of the project will provide early project configuration. During detailed design and optimisation, the parameters of the part being created will change, but the preliminary design focuses on creating the general framework to build the project on.
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Detailed design
The detailed design portion of the engineering design process is the task where the engineer can completely describe a product through solid modelling and drawings. Some specifications include: Operating parameters; Operating and non-operating environmental stimuli; Test requirements; External dimensions; Maintenance and test-ability provisions; Materials requirements; Reliability requirements; External surface treatment; Design life; Packaging requirements; External marking
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Production planning and tool design
The production planning and tool design is nothing more than planning how to mass-produce the project and which tools should be used in the manufacturing of the part. Tasks to complete in this step include selecting the material, selection of the production processes, determination of the sequence of operations, and selection of tools, such as jigs, fixtures, and tooling. This task also involves testing a working prototype to ensure the created part meets qualification standards.
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Production
With the completion of qualification testing and prototype testing, the engineering design process is finalised. The part must now be manufactured, and the machines must be inspected regularly to make sure that they do not break down and slow production.
