Engineering and Product Design

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Machine Design strand of Mechanical engineering. It follows the product from first idea to finished part. Most of the material is mind maps, with a few quizzes, flashcard decks and flowcharts alongside.

Process and specification

Start with the maps on the design process. Design process and Product Generation give the overall shape. The map on the phases of the product evolution process moves from the initial phase, where product profiles become a consistent target framework, onwards. Another map, based on chapter 6 of The Mechanical Design Process, explains why understanding the problem comes before writing engineering specifications. Benchmarking the Best-in-class and the Functional Decomposition Matrix flowchart help you break a brief into parts.

CAD, drawing and manufacture

The Mechanical Engineering Design - CAD map is split into modules: assemblies and detail drawing, fabrication, a design challenge and reverse engineering. The map on mechanical assemblies and detail drawing for manufacture covers part modelling, assembly modelling, dimensioning including GDT, and drawing views. The Sketch Modelling and drafting str1 flashcard decks suit quick recall of terms.

Simulation, optimisation and worked projects

The flashcard deck on reducing costs with virtual prototyping asks why simulation is advantageous and sets out the general procedure of numerical simulation. The map on design optimisation methods for turbomachinery aerodynamics covers surrogate models, stochastic methods, design of experiments and genetic algorithms. Project maps such as Sprocket support, Intravenous Stand, Portable CMM Mounting Base and CNC Drill_1 show design questions worked through: weight, forces, screw placement, safety factors and machining.

Using quizzes with maps

Read a map, then try the AMS588 Ch 10 Quiz on system-level design. Note what you missed and go back to the matching branch. Teachers can set a map as pre-reading and use a quiz to open a lesson. When you are ready, make a map or flashcard deck of your own for a project you are working on.