EE 297: Cornerstone Design

Handout 1: Introduction to Design

Prof. Mohamed Zribi

Updated on 20 October 2016

Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297

1

Engineering Design
Engineering Design is a process of devising a
system, component, or process to meet a
desired need.

It is a decision-making process, often iterative, in

which the basic sciences, mathematics, and
engineering sciences are applied to convert
resources to meet a stated objective.

It is a Structured problem-solving activity

Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297 2

 Summary of the Ten Step Design Process
1. Recognize the Need
2. Define the problem
3. Gather Information
4. Establish the Constraints
5. Set the Criteria
6. Think of Alternatives
7. Analyze the merit of each alternatives
8. Decide on the best alternative
9. Detailed design of the best alternative
10. Communicate your results (Demo +
presentation + report)
Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297 3

AnexampleofTheTenStepDesign
Process

ApplytheTenStepDesignProcesstoareallife
situation

Example:UpgradingtheDormroomsatyour
University

Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297 4

 DesignProcessExample
Step1: IdentificationoftheNeed

Reallifeproblem:crowdeddorms.
Dorms:roomsarenormallydesignedtoaccommodate2
students
Theroomsareequippedwith2desks,2beds,2closets,2
shelvingunitsandonedresser
Problem:
Roomiscrowded
Spaceislimited
Storageislimited
Possibilities:elevatebedsbutthiscreatesotherproblems
Lackofstability
Highcosts
Need:Systemthatbetterutilizesdormlivingspace
(overcomecrowdedconditions)
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Step2: ProblemDefinition
Broaddefinition:Crowdedlivingconditions
StateA StateBdesignation
Crowdedlivingconditions uncrowdedliving
conditions
Redefinetheproblemstatement
Existingdormfurnishing existingfurnishing
withloftedbeds

Iffurnishingarenotstandard,mayrequiremultipledesigns

FinalProblemstatement
Existingdormbeds loftedbeds
Meetwithcustomertoinsurecustomerneedsaremet
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Remark

A bunk bed
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Remark

A bunk bed
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Picture of a Loft bed:

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Picture of a Loft bed:

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Picture of a Loft bed:

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Step3: Search
Searchforinfomayrevealfactsthatresultin
redefinitionoftheproblem.

Searchfocusedonfourareas:universityrestrictions
andspecifications,existingsolutions,student
preferencesandconstructionmaterials.

Universityrestrictionandspecificationswereobtained
throughpersonalinterviewswithresidencehall
officialsandaresummarizedonthenextslide.
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 UniversityRestrictionsandSpecifications

Loftsystem:
Mustmeetcurrentuniversityandcountrycodes.
Mustbeabletobeassembledwithsimpletools.
Musthaveasmanystandardpartsaspossible.
Doesnotneedaguardrailorladder.
Doesnotneedtobehandicapaccessible.

Studentshaveindicatedapreferenceforwood
construction.
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Step3: Search
Typesofinformation
1. Whathasbeenwrittenaboutit?
2. Issomethingalreadyonthemarketthatmaysolve
theproblem?
3. Whatiswrongwiththewayitisbeingdonenow?
4. Whatisrightwiththewayitisbeingdonenow?
5. Whomanufacturesthecurrentsolution?
6. Howmuchdoesitcost?
7. Willpeoplepayforabetteroneifitcostsmore?
8. Howmuchwilltheypay(orhowbadisthe
problem)?

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SourcesofInformation
Existingconditions
Internet
Library
Governmentdocuments
Professionalorganizations
Tradejournals
Vendorcatalogs
Expertsinthefield
Commercialstores

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TheSearch
Severalwebsiteswereinvestigatedtodetermine
designs,cost,structureandmaterials.
Alumberyardwasfoundthatbuildsastandard
loftfordorms.
Studentpreferenceswereobtainedthrustudent
surveys.
Possiblematerialswerelookedintobychecking
lumberyardsandweldingshops.
Simpletoolsareavailableforcheckoutby
studentsinthedorms.

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Step4: Constraints

Costmustsnotexceed300KD.
Loftsystemmustmeetsafetyandfirecodesfor the
universityandthecountrysafetycodes.
Loftsystemmustaccommodateaunitbedsizeof
78x36inches(about2mby90cm).
Loftsystemmustbefreestandingandcannot
affecttheexistingstructureoftheroom.

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Step5: Criteria
Generalcriteriaforpossibleconsiderationonanyproject
arelistedbelow.
1. Cost almostalwaysaheavilyweightedfactor
2. Reliability
3. Weight(eitherlightorheavy)
4. Easeofoperationandmaintenance
5. Appearance 9. Effectiveness
6. Compatibility 10.Durability
7. Safetyfeatures 11.Feasibility
8. Noiselevel 12. Acceptance

Most often it is useful to apply a relative weighting to the criteria.

Not all criteria are equally important
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 Step5: Criteria
Ease of assembly (35%) (High weight based on survey)
Functionality (25%) This includes accessibility to the loft, the
effective use of space, durability, and maintenance.
Cost (25%) This includes the cost of materials and tools. (Note that
cost can be both a constraint and a criteria.)
Stability (15%) This includes the consideration of structural integrity,
sense of safeness, and capability of being free standing.

Note that a short list of criteria is preferable to a long list of

criteria with low weights.

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Step6: AlternativeSolutions

DevelopingAlternatesolutions:

Developalistofpossiblewaysthatanexistingsolution
canbechangedandusedtosatisfytheneed.

Comeupwithacompletelynewalternativesolution.

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 Step6: AlternativeSolutionsforLofted
beds
Brainstorming wasusedtodeveloppossible
solutions.
Theproblemdescription:
Existingdormbeds>loftedbeds
Byproblemdefinition,alternativesolutionsare
limitedonlytoloftedbeds.

Alternativesolutionsdevelopedduring
brainstormingareshowninthefollowingslides.

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Alternative1

A loft using two * four lumber for the supporting structure.

Stability is maintained by several supports, some of which
reduce the usable space under the loft
Nails are proposed for assembly.
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Alternative2

An X-frame is used in this alternative instead of vertical

members.
This reduces the amount of lumber required but introduces
instability.
Useable space under the loft is good.
Cross supports double as ladder.
Screws or nails are used in assembly.
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Alternative3

Alternative 3 utilizes 4x4 posts as a base support.

The ladder also serves as the cross support at one end.
The design is very stable.
The material costs are high.
Screws are proposed for the assembly
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Alternative 4

Alternative 4 also utilizes 4x4 posts as a base support.

The design is very stable.
Screws are proposed in the assembly.

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Alternative 5

Very similar to alternative 4

Less lumber is used
Additional cross brace on one end.
Screws are to be used in the assembly.

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 Summary of the Alternatives

Thefivealternativesareshowninconceptonly.

Nodimensionsarespecified.

Nodetailsofassemblyareprovided.

Theloftsaresizedtoaccommodateastandardbed
of78x36inches(about2mby90cm)

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Step7: AnalysisoftheAlternatives
To find the best solution we must analyze the available
alternatives.
Analysis involves the use of mathematical and engineering
principles to determine the performance of a potential
solution as well non quantitative analysis.
The time for analysis is critical to the design process
Analysis performed by engineers in most design projects is
based on the laws of nature, the laws of economics, and
common sense.

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Step7: AnalysisoftheAlternativesfor
Loftedbeds

Alternative1

Useoftwobyfoursdecreasescostandweight

Requiressignificantcrossbracing

Crossbracinginterfereswithusablespace

underneathloftbed

Timeofassemblyishigh

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Alternative2

Usesminimumlumber

Hasdifferentlook,maybeappealingbecauseof

this

Lacksstabilityinlongitudinaldirection

Alternative3

Hassolid,stableconstructionwithfourbyfours

Usemorelumberthanotheralternatives
Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297 30
 Alternative4

Hasfairlyeasyassembly

Hasopenlook

Usesminimumlumber

Alternative5

Hasfairlyeasyassembly

Hasgoodstability

Hasefficientuseoflumber

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Step8: Decision
Steps17werecompletedtoprovideinformationsothatwe
couldmakethebestdecision.

Decisionmakingalmostalwaysinvolvesamatteroftrade
offs. e.g.morestabilityversushighercostsandgreatertime
forassembly

Thedecisionmatrixwaschosenasthemethod
determiningthebestloftdesign.

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Step8: Decision
The first two columns list the criteria and their respective
weights as percentages. The next five columns list the five
alternatives.

The matrix is filled by evaluating each alternative against a

single criteria and multiplying that evaluation by the
weight.

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Decision Matrix
Alternative Solutions
Criteria Weight #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Ease of Assembly 35% 4 5 6 8 8
Score 140 175 210 280 280
Functionality 25% 5 8 8 8 8
Score 125 200 200 200 200
Cost 25% 6 6 5 7 7
Score 150 150 125 175 175
Stability 15% 7 3 9 9 10
Score 105 45 135 135 150
Total Score 100% 520 570 670 790 805
Rating scale R Example
Excellent 9 - 10'
Rating 9 W = 25
Good 7-8'
R=9 225 RxW
Fair 5 - 6'
Poor 3 - 4' 9x25 = 225
Unsatisfactory 0 - 2'

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Decision

Clearlythedecisionmatrixindicatethat
alternative5isthebestchoice.

Becareful,thedecisionisverysensitivetothe
weightofthecriteria.

Youshouldbereadytogiveaverygood
justificationfortheassignedweights.

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Step9: Specification(DetailedDesign)

Paper(theoretical)design

Buildingofaprototypeofthesystem

Testingtheprototype

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Step9: Specification(DetailedDesign)
Specificationsnormallyinclude:
Sufficientnumberofdatabasesdescribingthesizeand

shapeofeachpart

Layoutstodelineateclearancesandoperational

characteristics

Assemblyandsubassembliestoclarifytherelationshipof

parts

Drawings,Writtennotes,standards,specifications,andso

on,concerningqualityandtolerances(toincludetop,side,
bottomandendviewsasnecessary)orBluePrints
Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297
Acompletebillofmaterials(BOM) 37

ExampleofSpecification
The detailed Loft Specifications for Alternative 5
are as follows.

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Alternative 5 Loft

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Frontview
PartA

PartA

PartB 62in
PartB
PartA

PartA

36in

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LeftSideView
78in
PartD

PartB
PartB
PartC 62in

99.64in
PartD

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RightSideView
78in
PartD

PartB
PartB
62in

99.64in

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Backview 36in

PartA
PartA

PartB
PartE
62in
PartB
71.7in

PartA
PartA

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PartA2x4Board
SideView

EndView
36in
2innominalvalue
4in
TopView nominal
value
4innominalvalue
36in

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PartB4x4Board
SideView
4innominalvalue

78in EndView
4innominalvalue
4in
TopView nominal
value
4innominalvalue

78in

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PartsC,D,E
Show at least three view,

If not symmetrical; show more views

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Connections
All connections are made using # 10 wood screws 4
long and each connection should be made with three
screws as shown below.

PartA

PartD

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Construction
Order of construction:
1. Connect the top rectangle (two part As and two part Ds first
with the four board sitting on the ground. Insure that the parts
are at 90. Then set it aside.
2. Connect the bottom three sided rectangle that makes up the
bottom (one part A and two part Ds). Insure that the parts are
at 90. Then set it aside.
3. Setting the top upside down on the ground, connect the four
upright posts (part B) to the top rectangle.
4. Then turn it over and set it upright.
5. Fit the bottom sided rectangle around the four posts and
connect using the #10 wood screws. Insure that the parts are at
90. Turn the loft upright.
6. Connect diagonal (Part C) on the left side.
7. Connect diagonal (Part E) on the back side and it is completed

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BillofMaterials(BOM)
Item QTY unitprice Cost
Lumber
8ft 2x4s 7 $2.00 $14.00
10ft 2x4s 1 $2.50 $2.50
8ft 4x4s 4 $5.00 $20.00
Screws
4#10woodscrew
(66required)
(pksoffourscrews) 17 $2.39 $40.63
Total$77.13

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Step9: Specification(DetailedDesign)

Buildingofaprototypeofthesystem

Testingtheprototype

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ProjectManagement(VeryImportant)

Guidelines
Projectplanafterdesignplancomplete
Doubletimeestimatesandadd10%
Assignalotofintegrationandtesttime
Rememberleadtimesforpartsordering
Assigntasksbasedonskillsandinterests
Trackprogressversusplan
Planschange

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Step10: Communication

Demonstrationoftheprototype

Selling(Marketing)thedesign

Writtenreport

OralPresentation

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ProjectCommunication

Focusonneedsofspecificaudience
Who?
levelofknowledge
theirmotivation needs

Why?
topersuade
toinform

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ProjectProposal
Onegoalistosellidea,bepersuasive
Inindustrytheproposalwillshow:
1. Productisusefulforsomeoneforsomething
2. Thedesignwillwork,itwillsolvetheproblem
3. Willmeetthespecifiedconstraints
Additionally,inSeniorDesign,theproposalshould
show:
1. Youarelearningsomethingnew
2. Sufficientlycomplex
3. ApplypreviouslylearnedECEknowledge

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ProjectProposalFormat
Secondgoalistoinform
1)Titlepage projecttitle,names,date,404lecturesection
number,groupnumber.
2)TableofContents,withpagenumbers.
3)Introduction
4)ProblemAnalysis
5)RequirementsSpecification
6)PreliminaryDesign. Includeablockdiagram themore
detailedthebetter.Willhelpwiththeschedulingandtask
assignment
7)PreliminarySchedule (Ganttchart)
8)Conclusion summarizewhythiswillbeagreatseniorproject.
9)References anyreferencesusedinproposaldevelopment

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OralPresentations

Structure
1. Intro:Tellthemwhatyouwilltellthem
Introducegroupandproject
Overviewandbackground
2. Body:Tellthem
Usetopdownapproach
Supportmainpoints
3. Conclusion:Tellthemwhatyoutoldthem
Summarizeandemphasizemainpoints

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OralPresentations
Tips
Prepare practice,practice,practice
Eyecontactwithentireaudience
Avoidtoomuchinformation
Meettimeconstraints
Lookandactprofessionally
Usevisualseffectively

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OralPresentations
Slides
Usealargefont,24ptormore

Avoidmorethan4or5bulletsperpage

Avoidfancygraphicsthataddnovalue

Groupslidesformajorpoints(topdown)

Avoidreadingslides

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EE297Presentations
Your presentation should be 10 to 15 minutes for a project
engineering team (5-10 min for a team of 2). Due to the limited
class time you will be cutoff if you exceed the upper limit.
Evaluation:
Professionalism - appearance, manner, visual aids
Clarity - Can we understand what your design is about?
Organization - Is your talk well-organized? Does it follow a
logical progression? Is it presented in a top-down manner?
Completeness - Are all the parts there? Did you provide a good
introduction? Clear, positive conclusions and/or summary? etc...
Communication - Did you maintain eye contact with the entire
audience? Did they understand you ? etc...
Time Limits - Did you stay within the specified time limits?
Questions - Were you successful at fielding questions after you
presentation? Are you knowledgeable on the subject matter ?

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EE297Presentations
Evaluation and Grade Sheet

Good....................OK.......................Poor
4 3 2 1 0
Introduction___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Clarity ______ ___ ___ ___
Organization___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Professionalism___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Communication___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Conclusion___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Timelimits ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Completeness___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Understanding ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Questions ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

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SellingtheDesign
Goodideasarenotenough
Garnersupportinsidetheteamandfromothers(to
theextentpossible)
Customercanbeabigassetinsellingtheidea
insidethecompany/organization

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TheWrittenReport
Thewrittenreportisusuallyamustandcanbea
majoraidinsellingtheidea.
Thewrittenreportmustbetargetedtowardsthe
intendedaudience
Generalcontent:
Appropriatecoverpage
Abstract(orexecutivesummary)
Tableofcontents
Body
Conclusionsandrecommendations
Appendices

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TheOralPresentation
Beprepared
Stance(relaxed,dontleanondesk,handsoutof
pockets,dontjigglecoins)
Projectvoice
Speakclearly(neithertoofastortoslow)
Graphicscaninfluenceopinionofaudience
Goodfinish

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Step10: Communication

Demos,Writtenreportsandoralpresentations
arepartoftherequirementsofthecourse

Prof. Mohamed Zribi EE 297 64