The Engineering Design Method

1. The Engineering Design Method NMSU BEST Robot Design Team

2. What is an Engineer? • Engineers are People who Solve Problems

3. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

4. Define The Problem • What is your objective? • Win! • Create a robot that climbs a pole • Transport various objects From the 2012 Game Teaser

5. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

6. Perform Background Research • What are the competition rules? • What do you have to do? • Google search • Has someone done anything similar? • Look for inspiration • This is a short-term project- save time for the other steps.

7. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

8. Specify Requirements • Robot Size (24”x24”x24” <24 lbs) • Robot needs some way to move objects • Robot can’t interact with other teams • Limited materials to build robot • Six weeks • Etc.

9. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brainstorm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

10. Brainstorm • Write down ideas • Stay on task • All ideas are ok at this point

11. Choosing the Best Option • How do we chose the best idea? • Simple • Quick • Potential to work • Compatibility with resources • Something you understand

12. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brainstorm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

13. Create a Design • Physics compatible • Motors can only do so much • Large motor rating: 23 in*lbs • Small motor rating: 9 in*lbs Length (inches) Robot Weight (lbs) Arm

14. Create a Design • Where should I use what material? • Some parts should not be flexible • Use plywood • Some parts should be flexible • Use PVC

15. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

16. Build a Prototype • Prototype is a working model of your robot • Time consuming part • Be problem solvers, don’t lose heart!

17. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

18. Test and Redesign as Necessary • Rarely do you find a perfect product • May not have much time to do this • Fix the things that are most beneficial fist! • Fix others as you have times

19. The Engineering Design Method • Define the Problem • Perform Background Research • Specify Requirements • Brain Storm – Choose the Best Option • Create a Design • Build a Prototype • Test and Redesign as Necessary

20. Challenges to Come • Short time • Team dynamics • Difficult materials to work with • Be engineers, solve the problems!