How many types of designs in engineering? (R)

TYPES OF DESIGNS 

Design can be categorized in a variety of ways. 

Designs can be roughly categorized into three categories based on the knowledge, abilities, and creativity needed for the design process.

(i) Adaptive design 
(ii) Variant design 
(iii) Original design

(i) Adaptive Design 
The designer's job usually involves making minor changes to the existing design. We refer to these as adaptive designs. For this kind of design, no specialized expertise or abilities are needed. Changing the shape of a mechanical watch, as an illustration.

(ii) Variant Design. 
For this kind of design to turn the present designs into a new idea by using a new material or a different production method, it takes significant scientific training and design expertise. In this instance, the designer begins with pre-existing designs, however, the finished output may change greatly from the original.

For instance, mechanical watches can be converted to quartz timepieces. Here, modern technology is applied.

(iii) Original design.
Here, the designer invents something that was before unimaginable. As a result, other names for it include new design and inventive design. A great deal of investigation, learning, and imagination are needed to produce an original design. When a new technology is available or there is sufficient market pressure, a corporation considers a new design. They are also known as creative designs since they demand a lot of ingenuity from the creator.

On the basis of the nature of the design problem, design may be classified as

(a)  Selection design
(b)  Configuration design
(c)  Parametric design
(d)  Original design
(e)  Re-design

(a)  Selection Design.

From a list of comparable products, one or more are chosen. We use catalogs for this.

• choosing a bearing from a catalog of bearings
• choosing a fan for equipment cooling
• deciding on a shaft.

(b)  Configuration / Layout / Packaging Design 

The challenge in this type of problem is how to put together all the designed components to create the finished product. This kind of layout is comparable to how furniture is arranged in a living room.

Think about how a laptop computer is constructed from electronic parts. A keyboard, power supply, main circuit board, hard drive, floppy drive, and space for two extension boards are all components of a laptop computer. Each component has a specified design and is subject to limitations regarding where it can be placed. For instance, the keyboard needs to be in front of the machine and the extension slots need to be close to the main circuit board.

The many elements are displayed above. Finding a way to fit all the components in a case is the designer's goal. What should go where? One approach to dealing with these issues is to choose a component at random from the list and place it in the case such that all of the component's constraints are satisfied.

Let's start with the keyboard. It is positioned in front. Next, we choose and set a second component. This process is continued until there is a disagreement or all the necessary elements are present. In the event of a disagreement, we retract and try again. The two possible arrangements are displayed above.

(c)  Parametric Design

Parametric design involves finding values for the features that characterize the object being studied.

Consider a simple example - 

We want to design a cylindrical storage tank that must hold 4 m³ of liquid.

The volume is given by

                        V =  r² l

The tank is described by the parameters, radius 'r', and length l.

Given V = 4 m³ =  r² l

             r² l = 1.273

We can see a number of values for the radius and length, that will satisfy this equation. Each combination value of r and l gives a possible solution for the design problem.

(d)  Original Design

As described in an earlier section, an original design in the development of an assembly or component that did not exist before.

(e)  Redesign

We can see a number of values for the radius and length, that will satisfy this equation. Each combination value of r and l gives a possible solution for the design problem. The redesign is a modification of an existing product to meet new requirements. It is the same as adaptive design, Most design problems solved in the industry are for the redesign of an existing product. Consider a 0.25m long hydraulic cylinder that a manufacturer produces. If the outer cylinder and the piston rod meet this special need.

On the basis of the objective or strategy, the designs are of the following main types.

A.   Production Design

B.   Functional Design

C.   Optimum Design

A.   Production Design

In production design, the designer designs something in such a way that the cost of producing the product is minimal. That is, the first responsibility of the designer is the reduction of production costs. Hence, a production designer is concerned with the ease with which something can be produced, and that at a minimum cost.

B.   Functional Design

In functional design, the aim is to design a part or member so as to meet the expected performance level.

Functional design is a way of achieving given requirements.- but the same may the unproducible or costly to produce. A good designer, then, has to consider the production aspects also. A product designed without keeping all these aspects into account wastes time, money, and effort.

C.   Optimum Design

It is the best design for a given objective function, under the specified constraints.

On the basis of the field/ area or the domain of design, the following types are important.

1.    Mechanical Design

2.    Machine Design

3.    System Design

4.    Assembly/sub-assembly design

5.    Computer-aided design

1.     Mechanical Design

It means the use of scientific principles, technical information and imagination in the design of a structure, or machine to perform prescribed functions with maximum economy and efficiency.

2.    Machine Design

It is the process of achieving a plan for the construction of a machine.

3.    System Design

System Design is an iterative decision-making process to conceive and implement optimum systems, to solve problems and the needs of society.

4.    Assembly/sub-assembly design

In the design of Assembly/sub-assembly, the major criterion is the fulfillment of functional requirements. The assembly has to be designed to meet the broad technical parameters and the purpose for which it was meant.

The characteristic features are:

¬  The total number of parts used in the design must be minimal.

¬  Sub-assemblies should be capable of being built separately in order to give maximum manufacturing flexibility.

¬  Standard parts may be used.

¬  Flexible parts should be avoided, as they are easily damaged during handling and assembly.

5.    Computer-aided design [CAD]

It is a design process that makes use of computers to analyze and assess data, sketch concepts, and more. Computers are frequently utilized in design offices for prototype examination and modeling. Computers are becoming a necessary tool in current design.

Other types of designs are

Probabilistic Design

Industrial Design

Probabilistic Design 

It is a design methodology where statistical techniques are used to make design decisions. The qualities of materials, the external load acting on a body, and other factors are typically subject to change. The designer considers the changes of such parameters in probabilistic design.

Industrial Design

It is the design made by considering aesthetics, ergonomics, and production aspects.

 

 

 

 

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