The tremendous possibilities of the techniques and processes developed by engineers can only be realised by great design. Design turns an idea into a useful artefact, the problem into a solution, or something ugly and inefficient into an elegant, desirable and cost effective everyday object. Without a sound understanding of the design process the engineer works in isolation without the links between theory and the needs of the end user.

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need.

Among the topics included in this unit are: Gantt charts and critical path analysis, stakeholder requirements, market analysis, design process management, modelling and prototyping, manufacturability, reliability life cycle, safety and risk, management, calculations, drawings and concepts and ergonomics.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to prepare an engineering design specification that satisfies stakeholders’ requirements, implement best practice when analysing and evaluating possible design solutions, prepare a written technical design report, and present their finalised design to a customer or audience.

Planning techniques used to prepare a design specification:

Definition of client’s/users objectives, needs and constraints
Definition of design constraints, function, specification, milestones
Planning the design task: Flow charts, Gantt charts, network and critical path analysis necessary in the design process
Use of relevant technical/engineering/industry standards within the design process

Design process:
Process development, steps to consider from start to finish
The cycle from design to manufacture
Three- and five-stage design process Vocabulary used in engineering design

Stage of the design process which includes:
Analysing the situation, problem statement, define tasks and outputs, create the design concept, research the problem and write a specification
Suggest possible solutions, select a preferred solution, prepare working drawings, construct a prototype, test and evaluate the design against objectives, design communication (write a report)

Customer/stakeholder requirements:
Converting customer request to a list of objectives and constraints
Interpretation of design requirements
Market analysis of existing products and competitors
Aspects of innovation and performance management in decision-making

Conceptual design and evaluating possible solutions:
Modelling, prototyping and simulation using industry standard software, (e.g. AutoCAD, Catia, SolidWorks, Creo) on high specification computers
Use of evaluation and analytical tools, e.g. cause and effect diagrams, CAD, knowledge-based engineering

Managing the design process:
Recognising limitations including cost, physical processes, availability of material/components and skills, timing and scheduling

Working to specifications and standards, including:
The role of compliance checking, feasibility assessment and commercial viability of product design through testing and validation

Design for testing, including: Material selection to suit selected processes and technologies
Consideration of manufacturability, reliability, life cycle and environmental issues
The importance of safety, risk management and ergonomics

Conceptual design and effective tools:
Technologies and manufacturing processes used in order to transfer engineering designs into finished products

Communication and post-presentation review:
Selection of presentation tools
Analysis of presentation feedback
Strategies for improvement based on feedback

A design report of approximately 1500 – 2000 words meeting a design requirement and assessing learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3, weighted 75%

A presentation based on briefing a stakeholder (15 minutes including Q&A) assessing learning outcome 4, weighted 25%

Whole group lectures will be used to deliver new material and to consolidate previous material. Small-group tutorials, with activities designed to enhance the understanding of the material delivered in the lectures, will be used to apply the skills and knowledge learned. A mixture of classroom based and practical activities will take place supported by staff

Plan a design solution and prepare an engineering design specification in response to a stakeholder’s design brief and requirements.

Formulate possible technical solutions to address the student-prepared design specification.

Prepare an industry-standard engineering technical design report.

Present to an audience a design solution based on the design report and evaluate the solution/presentation.

PC with industry standard CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD, Catia, SolidWorks, Creo)

DUL, J. and WEERDMEESTER, B. (2008) Ergonomics for beginners. 3rd Ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press
DYM, C.L., LITTLE, P. and ORWIN, E. (2014) Engineering Design: a Project Based Introduction. 4th Ed. Wiley.
GRIFFITHS, B. (2003) Engineering Drawing for Manufacture. Kogan Page Science.
REDDY, K.V. (2008) Textbook of Engineering Drawing. 2nd Ed. Hyderabad: BS Publications.

www.epsrc.ac.uk Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (General Reference) www.imeche.org Institution of Mechanical Engineers (General Reference)

Must be registered on HNC/D Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering provision at South Staffordshire College.

The tremendous possibilities of the techniques and processes developed by engineers can only be realised by great design. Design turns an idea into a useful artefact, the problem into a solution, or something ugly and inefficient into an elegant, desirable and cost effective everyday object. Without a sound understanding of the design process the engineer works in isolation without the links between theory and the needs of the end user.

The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the methodical steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes; from a design brief to the work, and the stages involved in identifying and justifying a solution to a given engineering need.

Among the topics included in this unit are: Gantt charts and critical path analysis, stakeholder requirements, market analysis, design process management, modelling and prototyping, manufacturability, reliability life cycle, safety and risk, management, calculations, drawings and concepts and ergonomics.

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to prepare an engineering design specification that satisfies stakeholders’ requirements, implement best practice when analysing and evaluating possible design solutions, prepare a written technical design report, and present your finalised design to a customer or audience