What is the Engineering Design Process?

In the course of Product Design and Development, The Engineering Design Process is the sequential design process that may involve multi-disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architectural engineering, industrial engineering, material science, aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, and so on.

Engineering Design Process

As we have already mentioned that the Engineering Design Process is a sequential design process that may involve multi-disciplines.

Any Engineering Product which has been ever produced will have the design process implemented. But choosing the most reliable discipline for solving engineering issues is a complex task.

Following is the series of steps involved in the Engineering Design Process

Define the Problem

In the Engineering design process, we will start with defining the problem in such a way that an engineer will understand and be able to proceed to the next step in the process.

Defining the problem can be done by asking the following questions.

• What is the problem or need?
• Who has the problem or need?
• Why is it important to solve?

Research

The next step in the Engineering design process is that background research. When we have a problem, it is important to learn from the experiences of others. It helps you to find out any existing solutions for similar problems and to avoid mistake that has been done in the past.

So, for doing the background research, we have two resources, on is the user experience and the second one is Existing solutions for similar problems.

Specify Design Requirements

To successfully solve the problem, what are the necessary specification or the requirement that need to be fulfilled by the product. These details help us to achieve the solution for the problem.

This specification may be design requirements or physical characteristics or technical limitations and customer usage requirements.

Conceptualization: Analyse and evaluate, choose a solution

Once we have done the background research and defined the specifications, the next step in the Engineering Design Process is that brainstorming and generating Various solutions.

We need to take the pros and cons into account for each of these various possible solutions.

And finally, analyse and evaluate these various possible solutions and comes up with the best possible and suitable solution for the problem.

Preliminary Design, Prototyping and Testing

Once we have the solution, we have to develop a prototype of the product and test how the solution will work for the problem.

After testing the prototype, a redesign may be required multiple times (Iterations) before we go for the final design.

Detail Design

This Detail design is the step, where we can say the solution has been found. The Detail designs include the detailed description of each and every component and function through solid modelling, drawings and specifications. These detailed drawings are up for Manufacturing.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Design for Manufacturability is the general engineering art of designing products in such a way that they are easy to manufacture.

Finding the best Manufacturing processes and material availability and processing lead times and material handling.

This can be done through computer programs such as Boothroyd DFM software.

Conclusion

We have discussed the different engineering Design Process Steps in detail. Let us know if you have any further thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.