What is Engineering Design? Which Steps in the Design Process Cycle?
Engineers, who ensure the development of many structures, tools and machines to meet the needs of people in all areas of life, systematically continue the processes by addressing a specific need in their work. At this point, the role of design and systematic work in achieving results and obtaining high efficiency is critical.
Engineering design signifies much more than just a workable idea. The goal of the design process is to bring out the best for investors and users by going through many different situations and steps. There are also external factors that influence the shaping process of engineering design. The functionality of a design and the physical and material constraints significantly impact the development of the design. At the same time, the competitive conditions existing in the field of design also have a big role in the regulations. A creative idea, the right conditions, and an effective presentation are crucial stages in meeting the expectations of engineering designs and completing the process flawlessly.
What is Engineering Design?
Engineering design is a concept that encompasses all practical and theoretical work conducted systematically to meet a specific need. This concept is much more than just designs developed to solve a problem. Designs developed after identifying an existing problem related to a situation can offer results that make a difference. The scope and presentation of the design are crucial in demonstrating its functionality. Additionally, when designs are approached from an engineering perspective, various criteria are taken into consideration.
When designs resulting from the application of engineering skills to necessary areas are evaluated from an engineering perspective, they must meet certain criteria. Even if an idea is practical, if aspects such as the total cost of the design, the production phase, and its competitive strength are not at the desired level, the likelihood of it being implemented is quite low. Engineering design is generally developed by these international standards and subjected to established reliability tests.
What Steps Comprise the Design Process Cycle?
Decisions made in the cycle of the engineering design process are crucial for taking the right steps. For progress to continue successfully in the design process, visual, auditory, and written communication is necessary. Communication methods are utilized by different disciplines to contribute to the analysis, development, and testing. The steps that need to be taken from identifying a problem to reaching the outcome of the design are as follows:
+ The first step in the design process is to identify the need. For the design to begin, there must be a need, and it must be defined in a general way. This stage is crucial to address the problem in the right way.
+ Concept design comes after the need is identified and defined. As a result of solution-oriented research, draft ideas begin to form. At this stage, more than a general design is put forward.
+ Engineering design allows the designer to set the boundaries of their work. Determining the competitive cost depends on the decisions of the design team. The estimates made at this point should meet the needs of the design, and decisions should be made accordingly. Adequate and reliable information is needed to make realistic estimates.
+ The next step in the process cycle is mathematical modelling. In this step, where the manufacturability stage is examined, the most ideal paths are determined. Engineers carry out optimization and analysis before physical production at this stage.
+ In the last step of the process, prototype design, the requirements are evaluated with mathematical modelling. After this evaluation, prototype production is realized, and necessary tests are applied.