Project Task assignment

Design Project Ideas

Background

This is the time to create project ideas. The project is a design problem that includes at least one distinct component for each member of the group. The components themselves will have multiple requirements to satisfy.

During the first part of the course we will explore the specific ways in which requirements are translated into technical specifications, but for now you need to think expansively about projects and components with suitable complexity.

The way to develop a good project idea is to generate and discuss alternatives. During this week groups will form and meet to develop project ideas. Each member of the group will describe and document a project idea.

Think broadly about what the applications where design approaches apply. You are not limited to traditional mechanical engineering machines or devices.

You could design a structure (bridge, building), a piece of clothing or footwear, furniture with unique functionality or characteristics, or anything else as long as it exists physically and is made of something (e.g. designing a process will not work for this class.)

Consider the following:

1. What is the purpose of the design, what does the device/structure accomplish?

2. If it is a familiar creation, what requirements can we impose to make it novel?

3. What is the environment within which the design functions?

4. Does it have enough distinct components for each group member?

Notes:

1. Formulate and discuss design ideas as a group, but then document and submit a single project idea individually. Make sure to include the name of your group in all project assignments.

2. Do your best to develop good project ideas, but you are not committed at this stage to any of the general concepts, or to the specific design characteristics. You may develop an entirely new project idea and will certainly refine the project details over the next couple of weeks.

Assignment (due next week Thursday)

After meeting with your group and discussing design project ideas, submit the following documentation for a potential group project. This will not necessarily be the project your group ultimately pursues, but each group member will document one of the initial project ideas.

Group meetings in the next couple of weeks will refine the ideas and make a final selection. Create a brief report with the following content for your project idea (3 page limit). Use the bold

1. Theme: Identify and describe the overall theme that your group is pursuing.

2. Motivation: Describe your motivation for and interest in pursuing this particular design problem.

3. Sketch: A sketch of the overall concept.

4. Description: A general description of the design, what it does, and where it operates.

5. Primary Functions: List the primary functions of the design.

6. Operating Conditions: List the basic operating conditions (In air? Under water? In space? High temp?)

7. Components: Identify the individual components that make up the design.

8. Challenge: What do you see as the main challenge in creating this design?