Design Process

[Molten]

This forum is full of engineers and I don't doubt that just about all of you have used the design process. The idea of the process is the same, but the number of steps are different. So, how many steps do you believe there to be?(how many were you taught?)

I know that I made more choices then necessary, but I hate to limit peoples choices.

[Taylor]

Step 1: Design it.
Step 2: Process it.

[Alan Anderson]

In my view, the "Design Process" has no steps. One can look at it in two different ways:

1. Design is one step in the process of delivering a working product.

2. Design is a continuous activity that only stops after the product is no longer used.

Lots of teams are still doing design on Saturday morning of the Championship Event.

[Richard Wallace]

I think these lecture notes from MIT 2.007 are a good reference for the elements of design.

They include a process with ten steps. FRC teams do not generally complete all ten; it is very common for teams to omit steps 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10. (Many real-world design processes skip steps, too.)

----------from the link above---------------

First Step: Take stock of the resources that are available

Second Step: Study the problem and make sure you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done, what are the constraints (rules, limits), and what are the physics of the problem!
• Steps 1 & 2 are often interchangeable

Third Step: Start by creating possible strategies(ways to approach the problem)using words, analysis, and simple diagrams
• Imagine motions, data flows, and energy flows from start to finish or from finish back to start!
• Continually ask “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?”, “Where”, “How?”
• Simple exploratory analysis and experiments can be most enlightening!
• Whatever you think of, others will too, so think about how to defeat that about which you think!

Fourth Step: Create concepts, specific ideas for machines,to implement the best strategies, using words, analysis, and sketches
• Use same methods as for strategies, but now sketch specific ideas for machines
• Often simple experiments or analysis are done to investigate effectiveness or feasibility
• Select and detail the best concept…

Fifth Step: Develop modules, using words, analysis, sketches, and solid models

Sixth step: Develop components, using words, detailed analysis, sketches, and solid models

Seventh Step: Detailed engineering & manufacturing review

Eighth Step: Detailed drawings

Ninth Step: Build, test, modify…

Tenth Step: Fully document process and create service manuals…

[Molten]

Does anyone really think there are 24 steps to the design process? If so, would you mind listing them?

[joeweber]

And how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop ?

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by joeweber

And how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop ?

touche

-vivek

[lukevanoort]

[joeweber]

Although I did make a funny reply that is about right for robot design progress, I do understand the question and the interest in the answer. I do believe every team and team leader uses a process that is suited to them. It will always be different for each team, even if they follow a recommended process. We are a small team of 9 to 14 students and can not break up into groups. We take the day of the game release and as a group try to understand the game. The next meeting each student gives their rendition of what the solution should be with out interruption. We study all the ideas, the game rules and strategies, the coaches and team leaders make a design decision and start the design process. We try to make the final design decision by Wednesday after the game release and hopefully start building the frame by Friday. We do not want to waste valuable time. We design as we build. We do have some basic drawings but because we build everything in house we can do that. If you would like a more in-depth article of what we do visit http://team1322.org/how_to.htm this is a guide line to how we do things.

[team222badbrad]

I'm not sure on what step number I am, but I can turn your CAD into physical prototypes in a few hours.

The number of steps involved depends on how good the engineers, designers, testers, etc. are!

I love technology!

Keep an eye or two out for new videos @ www.youtube.com/printto3d

[Molten]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

I'm not sure on what step number I am, but I can turn your CAD into physical prototypes in a few hours.

The number of steps involved depends on how good the engineers, designers, testers, etc. are!

I love technology!

Keep an eye or two out for new videos @ www.youtube.com/printto3d

I take it you got a 3D printer too. Those are amazing. We just got one this year. I can't wait until I get a chance to sit down and really push it to it's limits.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by joeweber

And how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop ?

3