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Sr. Design Project
Concept Design
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Concept Design
During concept design we determine a variety of concepts that will perform each of the
required product subfunctions. A concept can be described as the abstract embodiment of a:
1) physical principle,
2) material (solid, liquid, gas, having mechanical & physical properties) and
3) geometry (having motions, surface: pt, line, area).
Then, we combine compatible concepts to create a functioning product or system. Each
combination can be called an “alternative concept design.” In some cases, product design teams
have used morphological matrices to systematically create different combinations of concepts.
Our primary objective is to develop about five alternative concept designs for the product or
system that will likely work and satisfy the customer and company.
Work Tasks
1. Clarify the Concept Design Problem
1.1 Prepare an activity analysis (see text pgs 76-78) of the part, subassembly, or system that you
are designing.
1.2 Prepare a function decomposition diagram, show only major functional requirements
1.3 Prepare a written discussion introducing the methods and discuss the results of these
activities, to be included in your concept design report.
2. Generate Alternative Concepts
Alternative concepts vary in one or more of the three characteristics: physical principle, material
or geometry (see text pg 74-75).
2.1 Use the library and two other methods/sources from the list below to generate alternative
concepts for your project such as: brainstorming, 6-3-5 method, synectics, checklisting,
Internet, library browsing, and other sources. Note your references for your report bibliography.
2.2 Prepare sketches of each concept on its own 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper including your name,
date, and a simple table stating the physical principle, material, and geometry. See attached
example.
2.3 Meet with faculty mentor to discuss your ideas, get feedback.
2.4 Prepare a written discussion introducing the methods and discuss the results of these
activities, to be included in your concept design report. Cite your references.
3. Analyze the Alternative Concepts.
3.1 Analyze each alternative using go/no go “feasible concept” screening. To be feasible the
concept must:
1. not violate laws of nature (rough calculations used, if any)
2. be likely to satisfy “must” customer requirements
3. be likely to satisfy company requirements (i.e. manufacturable)
3.2 Combine separate concepts for individual components to result in 5 different versions of the
working product. That is create five collections of concepts. Each of the five will be called an
“alternative concept design” (for the part/product/system).
3.3 Prepare a written discussion introducing the methods and discuss the results of these
activities, to be included in your concept design report.
Sr. Design Project
Concept Design
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4. Evaluate the Alternative Concept Designs.
4.1 Develop a list of 4-7 important evaluation criteria, including manufacturability. Incorporate
importance weights when selecting the criteria. Prepare a weighted-rating spreadsheet with the
five feasible “alternative concept designs” across the top row, and the criteria down the first
column. Print out a blank evaluation sheet for each member. Individually rate each alternative
concept design. When everyone is done, discuss and agree upon a “team” rating for each
evaluation criterion for each alternative concept design, and then calculate the weighted “team”
rating for each design.
4.2 Telephone or visit Client to get feedback on five “concepts.”
4.3 Prepare a written discussion introducing the methods and discuss the results of these
activities, to be included in your concept design report.
5. Prepare Concept Design Report
Title page: title of design project, team member, client, & mentor names, date, etc.
Table of contents, showing sections and page numbers
Concept design problem clarification
Activity analysis
Paragraph or so, introducing activity analysis method,
Discussion of activity analysis for your project.
Function decomposition diagram
Paragraph or so, introducing activity analysis method
Discussion of function decomposition diagram for your project.
Concept generation
Generating concepts/methods
Paragraph or so, introducing the methods/sources used
Discussion of alternative concept designs (five).
Label each sketch with a FIGURE number and TITLE. Put sketches/figures in appendix.
Describe each concept (cite each concept using figure number and title) with words,
compare the five concepts in a summary table with regards to physical principle, material or
geometry. (label the summary table & title, cite the table number etc.)
Concept Analyses
Paragraph or so, introducing go/no go screening
Paragraph discussing rough calculations used, if any.
Discussion of group analyses, say why some, if any, alternatives were rejected.
Concept evaluation
Paragraph or so, introducing weighted rating method
Discussion of rating of five alternatives
Label the ratings table with a TABLE number and TITLE. Put the table in the discussion
(cite the table using the table number and title).
Appendix
Sr. Design Project
Concept Design
Page 3 of 3
“Spiral Paper Clip”
October 30, 2006
Spiral rings
“twist” shape
John Smith
Papers are clamped
in between rings
Thin, flat
0.5 inch
1. physical principle
2. material
3. geometry
clamping force
solid elastic polymer
flat, open spiral
8 ½ x 11