Conceptualisation to materialisation

[polka129]

did mechanical engineering..but all along i used to think that all we have done is solving problems with no approach to designing..books had published problems and we are required to make FBDs and arrive at answers..but i wonder how are these mechanicall systems actualy designed..whats the philosophy and concept behind a particular system.how did the designer actually materialise an abstract concept into a working mechanical system.can anyone recommend any book which has full fledged examples of mechanical systems from conceptualisation to materialisation.?involving drwings,modelling,parametric modelling,etc to real time system prepared to be operated.

 

[Bobbywhy]

polka129, Do these help?

Design Specification Template
Purpose of these Documents
These documents describe how the system is to be built. They take the requirements [what the system will do] and translate them into a hardware and software design that can be built.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cadiv/segb/views/document/sections/section8/8_4_7.htm
++++++++++++++
Be sure to check out the “See also” section for much more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specification_(technical_standard )

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[BobG]

Isn't engineering design required for ABET accreditation?

In other words, a certain percentage of the courses require design, plus the program should require at least one major design project (and possibly more smaller design projects). My program had a two semester major group project, complete with both hardware and software engineering students, that had to design and produce a finish product within a limited budget (that could be modified if justified); plus smaller capstone projects; projects that required the paper design, but no product (freed up from the financial constraints of having to actually produce a product); plus many of the courses required design of at least one small project (either individually or group, depending on the difficulty).

 

[AlephZero]

I tend to agree with BobG. You can't learn to design things by reading books. You have to actually do it, and learn from your mistakes - preferably in a controllled environment where the mistakes don't cost too much or kill too many people.

But you can't design something unless you can analyze it, so a lot of time in an engineering course is necessarily spent learning how to do analysis.

 

[alphy]

I can understand your curiosity about the process of designing mechanical systems. It is true that in mechanical engineering, we often focus on solving problems and arriving at answers through the use of equations and diagrams. However, the process of designing a mechanical system involves much more than just solving problems.

The first step in designing a mechanical system is conceptualization, where the designer identifies the problem or need that the system should address. This can involve understanding the requirements, constraints, and user needs. From there, the designer can begin to develop a concept or idea for the system.

Next, the designer will use various tools and techniques such as drawings, modeling, and parametric modeling to refine and develop the concept. This is where the philosophy and concept behind the system come into play. The designer must consider factors such as functionality, efficiency, safety, and cost in order to create a successful design.

Once the design is finalized, the materialization stage begins. This involves the actual production of the mechanical system, using various manufacturing processes and techniques. The designer must work closely with engineers and technicians to ensure that the design is translated accurately into a physical product.

As for recommended books, I would suggest looking into "Mechanical Design: An Integrated Approach" by Ansel C. Ugural and "Machine Design: An Integrated Approach" by Robert L. Norton. These books provide comprehensive examples and case studies of mechanical systems from conceptualization to materialization.

In conclusion, the process of designing a mechanical system involves a combination of problem-solving, creativity, and practical application. It requires a deep understanding of engineering principles, as well as the ability to think critically and innovate. I hope this response has helped to shed some light on the process of designing mechanical systems.