M2 PDD
M2 PDD
M2 PDD
Compose the problem of designing a barbecue grill. Try a functional decomposition as well as a
decomposition based on the use interactions with the product
Functional Decomposition:
1. **Structural Design:**
- Body: Designing the outer shell that houses the cooking area and other components.
2. **Cooking Mechanism:**
- Burners: Developing the heating elements, such as gas burners or charcoal trays.
1. **Preparation:**
- Access to Fuel: Ensuring easy access to fuel source, whether gas tank or charcoal.
- Preheating: Designing mechanisms for preheating the grill to the desired temperature.
2. **Cooking:**
- Placing Food: Providing ample space and appropriate surfaces for placing food items.
- Temperature Adjustment: Allowing users to adjust heat levels for different cooking requirements.
3. **Monitoring:**
- Food Observation: Designing the grill to allow users to observe food without lifting the lid.
4. **Safety:**
- Heat Management: Ensuring that the exterior of the grill remains cool to the touch during
operation.
1. **Workspace Layout:**
- Adequate Space: Ensuring sufficient space around the machine for operators to move comfortably
and perform tasks without restriction.
- Clear Zones: Designating specific areas for different tasks, such as loading/unloading, operating
controls, and maintenance, to minimize congestion and confusion.
- Accessibility: Positioning controls and interfaces at ergonomic heights and angles to minimize
strain on the operator's arms, wrists, and shoulders.
- Ergonomic Handles: Using ergonomic principles to design handles and grips that provide a
comfortable and secure grip, reducing fatigue and the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
3. **Visibility and Feedback:**
- Clear Visibility: Designing machine tool layouts and interfaces to provide operators with clear
visibility of workpieces, tooling, and operating conditions to facilitate accurate monitoring and
control.
4. **Workpiece Handling:**
- Vibration Damping: Incorporating features such as dampening materials, isolators, and vibration-
absorbing mounts to reduce vibration transmitted to the operator and surrounding environment.
- Accessible Components: Designing machine tools with easily accessible components, service
points, and inspection ports to facilitate routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: Striking a balance between innovative ideas and practical
feasibility within the constraints of technology, cost, and time can be challenging.
3. **Technical Challenges:**
- Budget Constraints: Limited resources, including funding, time, and manpower, can pose
significant challenges in product development, requiring efficient resource allocation and
management.
- Compliance Complexity: Navigating regulatory frameworks and ensuring compliance with industry
standards, safety regulations, and environmental regulations can be time-consuming and complex.
7. **Market Dynamics:**
Product design encompasses various approaches and methods tailored to meet specific objectives
and constraints. Here are some major types of product design:
1. **Industrial Design:**
- Focuses on the aesthetics, form, and functionality of products to enhance their visual appeal and
user experience.
2. **User-Centered Design
- Prioritizes understanding user needs, behaviors, and preferences throughout the design process.
- Seeks to simplify product assembly processes and reduce assembly time and costs.
- Facilitates the efficient disassembly and recycling of products at the end of their lifecycle.
7. **Universal Design
- Aims to create products that are accessible and usable by people of all ages, abilities, and
backgrounds.
8. **Experience Design
- Focuses on designing holistic user experiences that encompass interactions with products,
services, and environments.
9. **Innovative Design:
- Emphasizes creativity, originality, and novelty in product design to differentiate products in the
market and drive innovation.
- Different materials possess unique properties such as strength, flexibility, conductivity, and
corrosion resistance. Selecting the right material ensures that the product performs its intended
function effectively and reliably.
- Example: In the automotive industry, the choice of materials for engine components, such as
pistons and crankshafts, directly impacts engine performance and fuel efficiency. Materials with high
strength-to-weight ratios, such as aluminum alloys or advanced composites, are often selected to
reduce weight and improve fuel economy without compromising performance.
- Materials vary in terms of their resistance to wear, fatigue, and environmental factors such as
temperature, moisture, and chemicals. Choosing durable materials enhances the product's lifespan
and reduces maintenance and replacement costs.
- Example: In construction, the selection of building materials such as concrete, steel, or timber
depends on factors such as structural requirements, environmental conditions, and expected service
life. Using weather-resistant materials like stainless steel or treated wood ensures long-term
durability and minimizes maintenance needs.
3. **Cost Efficiency:**
- Material costs, processing costs, and lifecycle costs all impact the overall cost of manufacturing
and owning a product. Selecting cost-effective materials that meet performance requirements helps
optimize production costs and maximize profitability.
- Material properties influence manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, and
joining. Choosing materials that are compatible with the selected manufacturing methods ensures
efficient production and high-quality results.
- Example: In aerospace engineering, materials like titanium alloys and carbon fiber composites are
preferred for aircraft components due to their high strength-to-weight ratios and compatibility with
advanced manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing and automated fiber placement.
- Sustainable material choices reduce the environmental impact of products by minimizing resource
consumption, emissions, and waste generation throughout the product lifecycle.
- Example: In packaging design, the use of biodegradable or recyclable materials like paperboard or
compostable plastics helps reduce the environmental footprint of packaged products and promotes
sustainability.
Fixed Costs:
Fixed costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of the level of production or sales volume.
These costs do not change in the short term, regardless of fluctuations in production levels or sales
revenue. Examples of fixed costs include rent, salaries of permanent employees, insurance
premiums, and depreciation of fixed assets.
Characteristics:**
- Remain constant: Fixed costs do not vary with changes in production output or sales volume
within a certain range.
- Timeframe: Fixed costs are typically associated with a specific time period, such as a month or a
year.
Overhead Costs:
Overhead costs are indirect expenses incurred in the course of running a business that cannot be
directly attributed to specific products or services. These costs are necessary for the operation of the
business but are not directly tied to the production process. Examples of overhead costs include
utilities, administrative salaries, office supplies, and facility maintenance expenses.
- **Characteristics:**
- Indirect: Overhead costs do not directly contribute to the production of goods or services but are
necessary to support business operations.
- Shared Expenses: Overhead costs are often shared among multiple departments or activities
within the organization.
Operational Costs:
Operational costs, also known as variable costs, are expenses that vary in direct proportion to
changes in production output or sales volume. These costs fluctuate based on the level of activity
within the business. Examples of operational costs include raw materials, direct labor, packaging,
shipping, and sales commissions.
Characteristics:
- Variable: Operational costs change as production levels or sales volumes change. Higher
production typically leads to higher operational costs, while lower production results in lower costs.
- Directly Related to Activity: Operational costs are directly tied to the production or sale of goods
and services.
Krick starts by thoroughly understanding the problem at hand. He analyzes the current design of the
car engine, identifies factors affecting fuel efficiency and performance, and gathers relevant data on
engine specifications, fuel consumption rates, and performance metrics. He also considers
constraints such as regulatory requirements, cost limitations, and customer expectations.
Devising a Plan:
Based on his understanding of the problem, Krick devises a plan to optimize the engine design. He
formulates hypotheses and potential solutions, such as optimizing fuel injection timing, adjusting
compression ratios, or redesigning engine components for improved aerodynamics. He also
considers computational modeling, simulations, and experimental testing to evaluate the
effectiveness of different design modifications.
Krick implements his plan by conducting computational analyses and simulations to assess the
impact of various design changes on fuel efficiency and performance. He collaborates with
colleagues and experts to validate his hypotheses and refine his design proposals. He iteratively
adjusts parameters, conducts sensitivity analyses, and evaluates trade-offs between conflicting
design objectives to identify the most promising design solutions.
Looking Back:
After implementing and testing his design modifications, Krick evaluates the outcomes and reflects
on the effectiveness of his solutions. He compares the performance of the optimized engine design
with the initial baseline design, considering improvements in fuel efficiency, power output,
emissions, and other performance metrics. He identifies lessons learned, challenges encountered,
and areas for further improvement, informing future iterations of the design optimization process.
1. Idea Generation:
The process begins with generating ideas for new products. This can come from various sources such
as customer feedback, market research, technological advancements, or brainstorming sessions. For
our example, let's say a tech company decides to develop a smartwatch in response to growing
demand for wearable technology.
2. Idea Screening:
Once ideas are generated, they undergo initial screening to evaluate their feasibility, alignment with
company objectives, market potential, and resource requirements. In our case, the tech company
may assess the demand for smartwatches, competition in the market, and the company's capabilities
in developing such products.
4. Business Analysis:
A thorough analysis of the potential business viability of the new product is conducted, considering
factors such as estimated costs, pricing strategies, revenue projections, market share, and return on
investment (ROI). For the smartwatch project, the company would analyze manufacturing costs,
distribution channels, pricing models, and potential revenue streams from sales and subscriptions to
accompanying services.
5. Prototype Development:
Based on the concept and feedback received, a prototype of the product is developed. Prototypes
can range from simple mock-ups to fully functional models, depending on the complexity of the
product. In our example, the tech company would create prototypes of the smartwatch, including
both the hardware and software components, for testing and refinement.
Prototypes are tested rigorously to ensure they meet quality standards, functionality requirements,
and user expectations. Testing may involve usability testing, technical testing, durability testing, and
compliance testing with relevant regulations. For the smartwatch, testing would assess factors such
as battery life, connectivity, user interface, fitness tracking accuracy, and compatibility with mobile
devices.
7. Market Launch:
Once the product has been refined and validated, it is ready for market launch. This involves
developing marketing strategies, establishing distribution channels, and executing promotional
campaigns to generate awareness and drive sales. For our smartwatch example, the tech company
would launch the product through online and retail channels, leveraging digital marketing, social
media, and partnerships with retailers to reach target customers.
8. Post-Launch Evaluation:
After the product is launched, its performance is monitored closely, and feedback from customers
and market data are analyzed to evaluate its success and identify areas for improvement. This
feedback loop informs future product iterations and enhances the company's ability to innovate and
meet evolving customer needs.
Explain with examples Economic Consideration in Material Selection
1. Material Cost:**
The initial purchase price of a material is often the primary economic consideration. Materials with
lower costs may be preferred, but other factors such as quality, durability, and performance must
also be considered.
Example:** For constructing a bridge, choosing between steel and reinforced concrete involves
comparing their costs. Steel might be more expensive initially, but its strength-to-weight ratio could
lead to savings in other areas, such as foundation costs.
The availability of a material can significantly affect its cost and the feasibility of a project. Materials
that are readily available and have a stable supply chain are often preferred to avoid delays and price
volatility.
Example:** In the automotive industry, using aluminum over carbon fiber might be chosen due to
aluminum's more stable supply chain and lower price, despite carbon fiber's superior strength-to-
weight ratio.
The cost to process and manufacture materials into the final product is another major
consideration. This includes costs for machining, forming, and finishing.
Example:** In the electronics industry, choosing plastic for casing over metal can significantly reduce
manufacturing costs due to easier and cheaper molding processes, even though metal may offer
better durability and heat dissipation.
4. Lifecycle Costs:**
Beyond the initial cost, the total cost of ownership over the material's lifecycle—including
maintenance, durability, and disposal—must be evaluated.
Example:** In the construction of pipelines, using polyethylene pipes may be more cost-effective
than steel pipes due to lower maintenance costs and a longer lifespan, despite a higher initial
investment.
The weight of materials affects transportation costs. Lighter materials can reduce shipping costs
and fuel consumption, which is particularly important for large-scale projects or products that need
to be transported over long distances.
Example:** In aerospace engineering, the choice of titanium over steel for aircraft components is
justified by the significant weight savings, which translates to fuel efficiency and reduced operational
costs, despite the higher material cost of titanium.
Materials with lower environmental impact can be more economical in the long run due to
potential tax incentives, lower waste disposal costs, and compliance with regulations.
Example:** Choosing biodegradable materials for packaging can reduce waste management costs
and comply with environmental regulations, which can lead to cost savings and improve the
company's sustainability profile.
7. **Scalability:**
The ability to scale production economically is crucial. Some materials are more suitable for mass
production and can achieve economies of scale, reducing per-unit costs as production volume
increases.
Example:** In consumer electronics, the use of silicon for semiconductors is prevalent due to its
scalability and cost-effectiveness in high-volume production compared to alternatives like gallium
arsenide.
. Let's illustrate this process using the example of designing a new smartphone.
Understanding the current market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape.
2. **Concept Development**
Narrowing down ideas based on feasibility, cost, and alignment with user needs.
3. **Design Specification**
### 5. **Refinement**
6. **Production Preparation**
7. **Launch**
How does user feedback contribute to the evaluation of industrial design quality?
- **Practical Example:** During user testing sessions, feedback may reveal that the buttons on a
new remote control are too small or poorly placed, making them difficult to use. This information can
lead designers to adjust the size and positioning of the buttons to enhance usability.
- **Practical Example:** For a new office chair, user feedback might highlight that the chair is
uncomfortable during prolonged use due to insufficient lumbar support. Designers can then modify
the chair’s design to provide better back support.
- **Practical Example:** Feedback on a new smartphone design may indicate that users find
certain color options unattractive or the overall design unappealing. This can prompt designers to
explore different color palettes and design tweaks to better match user preferences.
- **Practical Example:** A new kitchen appliance, like a blender, might receive feedback that it
doesn’t blend certain ingredients effectively or that it’s too noisy. Such feedback helps designers
improve the motor power or sound insulation.
- **Practical Example:** Early users of a new laptop might report issues with the hinge breaking
after a few months of use. This feedback indicates a need for more robust hinge designs or materials
to enhance durability.
- **Practical Example:** Positive feedback on a smartwatch’s long battery life and intuitive user
interface can reinforce these features as strong selling points and guide future enhancements or
marketing efforts.
- **Practical Example:** Users may indicate that while they appreciate the premium materials used
in a product, they find the cost unjustified. This can lead designers to consider alternative materials
that balance cost with perceived value.
- **Practical Example:** After launching a new model of a fitness tracker, continuous feedback
might show users want more detailed health metrics or integration with other health apps. This
ongoing feedback can drive updates and future iterations of the product.
Prototypes provide a physical manifestation of design ideas, making it easier to visualize and assess
the product's form, fit, and function.
Designers can iteratively refine their concepts based on the insights gained from interacting with
the prototypes, leading to improved design quality.
Prototypes enable the testing of the product’s functionality to ensure it performs as intended.
Early detection of design flaws and functional issues is possible, allowing for corrections before mass
production.
Prototypes allow potential users to interact with the product, providing valuable feedback on
usability and user experience.
Observing how users interact with the prototype in real-world scenarios helps identify usability
issues and areas for improvement.
Prototypes enable the assessment of the product's physical fit and comfort, ensuring it meets
ergonomic standards.
Designers can make necessary adjustments to enhance comfort and usability based on prototype
evaluations.
Prototyping allows for the evaluation of different materials and their suitability for the product.
Prototypes help in assessing the feasibility of manufacturing processes and identifying potential
production challenges.
6. **Cost Estimation and Risk Reduction**
Prototyping provides a clearer understanding of production costs, helping to refine budget estimates.
By identifying and addressing issues early, prototyping reduces the risk of costly errors and redesigns
during later stages of production.