Types of design
What is design ?
● Design is a broad concept that involves the process of using creativity to
solve problems and create objects, systems, or processes
● Engineering design is a systematic, iterative process used to
develop solutions to technical problems.
● It involves identifying needs, formulating requirements, generating
ideas, and creating detailed plans for products, systems, or processes.
● The process integrates science, mathematics, and engineering
principles to achieve functional, efficient, and innovative outcomes.
Types of design:
● Original design/Innovative design
● Adaptive design
● Redesign
● Selection Design
● Industrial Design
Original design/Innovative design:
Original design/Innovative design :This form of design is at
the top of the hierarchy.
● It employs an original, innovative concept to achieve a
need.
● A truly original design involves invention
● Leads to disruptive effects in market on account of new
technology used
Adaptive design:
Adaptive design
● This form of design occurs when the design team adapts a
known solution to satisfy a different need to produce a novel
application.
● For example, adapting the ink-jet printing concept to spray
binder to hold particles in place in a rapid prototyping
machine
● Adaptive designs involve synthesis and are relatively
common in design.
Redesign:
Redesign
● Much more frequently, engineering design is employed to
improve an existing design
● Redesign a product failing in service or redesign a component
to reduce cost of manufacture
● Often redesign is accomplished without any change in the
working principle or concept of the original design
Selection Design:
Selection Design
● Most designs employ standard components such as bearings,
small motors or pumps that are supplied by vendors
specializing in their manufacture and sale.
● In this case the design task consists of selecting the
components with the needed performance, quality, and cost
from the catalogs of potential vendors.
Industrial Design:
Industrial Design
● This form of design deals with improving the appeal of a
product to the human senses, especially its visual appeal.
● This type of design is more artistic than engineering
● Also encompassed by industrial design is a consideration of
how the human user can best interface with the product
WAYS TO THINK ABOUT THE
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
Iterative Design Process Overview
There is no single universally acclaimed sequence of steps that leads to a workable
design.
Design is a sequential process consisting of many design operations.
Examples of the operations might be
(1) Exploring the alternative concepts that could satisfy the specified need,
(2) Formulating a mathematical model of the best system concept,
(3) Specifying specific parts to construct a subsystem, and
(4) Selecting a material from which to manufacture a part.
● Each operation requires information, some of it general technical and
business information that is expected of the trained professional and some
of it very specific information that is needed to produce a successful
outcome.
● General Information:General information refers to the basic knowledge
and skills that professionals are expected to have based on their training,
experience, or industry standards.
● It provides a foundation to approach the design problem and explore
alternatives.
Examples include:
● Knowledge of engineering principles (e.g., stress analysis for
materials).
● Industry standards for safety or performance.
● Business considerations like cost-efficiency or customer preferences.
● Specific Information:
Specific information is detailed and precise data required to make informed
decisions and create an effective design.
It helps tailor general knowledge to solve the specific problem at hand.
● Examples:
(1) a manufacturer’s catalog,
(2) handbook data or
(3) personal experience gained from a trip to observe a new manufacturing
process.
● Morris Asimow viewed the heart of the design process as consisting of the
elements shown in Fig.
Acquisition of information in design
● The design process consisting of the elements shown in
Fig.
● Acquisition of information is a vital and often very difficult
step in the design process, but fortunately it is a step that
usually becomes easier with time. (We call this process
experience. )
Example for a Bicycle
1.Exploring Alternative Concepts:
The need: Create a bicycle that is lightweight and easy to ride.
Alternative concepts:
● Use aluminum for the frame to reduce weight.
● Use carbon fiber for an even lighter but stronger frame.
● Create a foldable bike for portability.
The design team evaluates which concept best meets the need based on cost, weight, and
customer requirements.
2.Formulating a Mathematical Model
● Calculate the strength of the chosen material (e.g., aluminum vs. carbon fiber) to
ensure it can support a rider’s weight.
● Model the gear ratios to determine how efficiently the bike transfers energy from
pedaling to the wheels.
● Use equations to estimate the total weight and balance of the bicycle.
3.Specifying Subsystem Parts
● Specify the gear system (e.g., a 7-speed Shimano derailleur).
● Design the braking subsystem (e.g., disc brakes or rim brakes).
● Choose the type of tires (e.g., road tires for speed or mountain bike
tires for durability).
4.Selecting Materials
Finally, the designer chooses materials for the parts to meet
performance, durability, and cost requirements.
○ Select carbon fiber for the frame to keep it lightweight and
strong.
○ Use rubber for the tires to ensure grip and durability.
○ Choose aluminum for the handlebars for a good balance of
strength and cost.
● Specific Information: This includes detailed, task-specific data or
requirements for the design.
● General Information: Broader knowledge or guidelines relevant to the
design task.
Both types of information are necessary to begin the process.
Design Operation: This step involves using the information to create or
design a solution or product. It's the creative phase where ideas are turned
into actionable plans.
Outcome: The result of the design operation. This is what you get
after applying the design process to the inputs.
Evaluation: Once you have an outcome, it's reviewed or tested to
determine whether it meets the desired requirements or goals.
Feedback Loop: If the evaluation shows that the outcome does
not meet the requirements, feedback is provided, and the process
loops back to the Design Operation step to improve or revise the
design.
Ex:Bicycle design
Specific Information
● Gather detailed requirements for the bicycle.
Example:
● Who will use it? (e.g., kids, adults, or professionals)
● What is the purpose? (e.g., commuting, mountain biking, racing)
● Budget constraints, weight limits, material preferences, etc.
General Information
● Use broader knowledge or industry standards related to
bicycles.
Example:
● Ergonomics (comfortable seat and handlebars)
● Types of materials used in frames (steel, aluminum, or
carbon fiber)
● Standard wheel sizes and gear mechanisms.
Design Operation
● Start creating the bicycle design using the input
information.
Example:
● Sketch the frame structure.
● Choose the number of gears, brakes, and suspension
systems.
● Determine aesthetic details (color, design features).
Outcome
● Build a prototype or a virtual model of the bicycle based on the design operation.
Evaluation
● Test the prototype to see if it meets the requirements.
Example:
● Is the frame strong enough?
● Does the bicycle provide a smooth ride?
● Is it lightweight and comfortable for the intended user?
Feedback Loop (If Evaluation Fails)
● If there’s a problem (e.g., the frame is too heavy, or the brakes are not reliable), use the feedback
to modify the design.
● Redesign the parts that don’t work (e.g., select a lighter material for the frame or improve the
brake system).
