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Recognize the need
LESSON OUTCOMES Problem definition
2. PROBLEM DEFINITION
• Identify the steps in problem definition
• Develop an objective tree to represent the requirements of the design project • This is one of the most critical steps of the design process.
• Describe the information sources available for designing processes
• There is an iteration between the definition of the problem and the recognition of
• Develop a problem definition statement related to agriculture need.
• In this phase, you must;
• Understand the existing problem
• Generate strategies and methodology
• Critically evaluate the most recent technologies, machines, and components available.
PROBLEM DEFINITION PROBLEM DEFINITION
• The problem definition is more specific than recognizing the need. • The true problem may not be what it first seems.
Eg: Problem – “The chili powder produced from the hammer mill is not
• For instance, if the chili is not adequately ground by the hammer mills, the properly pulverized.”
need may change in feeder design or hammer design. Not a problem with the hammer mill; the problem is with the moisture
• Feeder design modifications – change the operational speed of the feeder content of the chili
• Hammer design modifications – change the rotor speed, motor
horsepower, and hammer design (end of rod)
• Optimal hammer design and placement will provide maximum contact
with the feed ingredient.
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MAIN STEPS-PROBLEM DEFINITION OBJECTIVE TREE
Understanding the
problem
• Distinct and concise method of representing the requirements of the project in the form of a
1. Understanding the problem diagram
Clarifying
• An essential requirement for an engineering design project objectives • Indicates how the different objectives are related to each other
• Consider Establishing user
• Real-time physical conditions (product shape, functionality, production and requirements
user environment, available resources, design, production methods, etc.) Steps:
• Mathematical descriptions Identifying
• Prepare a list of design objectives
constraints […attributes]
2. Clarifying objectives • Sorting the list into higher-, mid-, and
Establishing the
• distinguish goals and objectives functions lower-level objectives
• Goal-general guidelines that explain what the client wants to achieve • Drawing a tree diagram of the objectives –
• Objectives-defined strategies and implementation steps to reach the Formulating project
specification
show hierarchical r/s and interconnections
identified goals
• Widely use method – Objective tree
Project definition
• In practice, when drafting an objective tree, the interconnections are usually not shown.
Understanding the Understanding the
problem problem
3. Establishing user requirements Clarifying 4. Identifying constraints Clarifying
objectives objectives
• Translate the needs (wish list) of the customer to design specifications that show • Design constraints are conditions of a successful engineering project
how the product will function Establishing user • Help to narrow down choices Establishing user
requirements requirements
• However, for the specifications to fully address the needs, the latter should be Types of design constraints:
first accurately transformed into requirements Identifying a) Functional constraints Identifying
constraints constraints
• Requirements are defined by the designer by prioritizing these needs, followed b) Health and safety constraints
by interpreting them into technical descriptions and definitions
Establishing the c) Manufacturability Establishing the
• A requirement can be defined as a statement that specifies the function and functions
d) Timing constraints – customer and team manager
functions
performance of an intended product
Formulating project
(i) Development schedule Formulating project
specification (ii) Production schedule specification
(iii) Delivery Schedule
Project definition Project definition
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Understanding the Understanding the
problem problem
Clarifying Clarifying
objectives objectives
e) Economic constraints – cost and resources 5. Establishing the functions
Establishing user Establishing user
f) Ergonomic constraints requirements
• Understand and establish the functions of the product to be requirements
g) Environmental constraints Identifying
designed or developed Identifying
h) Aesthetic constraints constraints • If there is no proper definition of the functions, the latter is constraints
i) Legal/ethical constraints subject to the risk of poor performance or failure
Establishing the Establishing the
(i) Laws, rules, and regulations functions functions
(ii) Ethics
Formulating project Formulating project
(iii) Intellectual property specification specification
j) Social constraints
Project definition Project definition
Understanding the
problem
6. Formulating project specification Clarifying
objectives
• Includes the formulation of design requirements and design specifications ---- all collected 7. Project definition
information and data are processed and defined; Establishing user
• The final step of problem definition requirements
1. Project requisites
• The project gets final approval Identifying
2. Product requirements and user needs
• Real product development starts, according to the company constraints
3. Market conditions objectives and strategies, current market trends, available Establishing the
4. Clarification of company strategies for the product development phases technologies, customer needs, and the main constraints of the functions
project
Formulating project
• Project specifications – summarize all information about the product, its technical specification
characteristics, development process, available resources, production plan, postproduction
goals Project definition
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Recognize the need
Problem definition
PROBLEMS IN GATHERING INFORMATION
GATHERING INFORMATION Gathering information
• LAZINESS
• Often, either no information is easily found, or there is an • Where to find it?
abundance of information
• How to get it?
• How accurate & credible is the information?
• Never-ending process for the best design engineers • How should the information be interpreted for my needs?
• When do I have enough information?
• What decisions result from the information?
• PLAGIARISM
INFORMATION SOURCES ASSIGNMENT 01 (INDIVIDUAL)
Textbooks Web pages Handbooks a) Recognize a need in a crop field that leads to a mechanical engineering design, and
Journals Company catalogs Company reports write your problem definition statement [one page, include objective tree].
Magazines Technical personnel Patents b) Briefly explain three design considerations for your proposed machine.
Technical reports from People c) List three information sources where you can collect information for your design.
R&D Institutes
• Two Pages, APA format, include your registration number in the title page
• Submission deadline: November 18, 2023
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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• strength • corrosion • maintenance
• cost • life • ergonomics
• flexibility • surface finish • shape
• reliability • wear resistance • size
• safety • noise • volume
• thermal properties • lubrication • manufacturability
• weight • friction • speed
• stiffness • styling/aesthetics
Explain how the above parameters are essential as design considerations in machine design.