Mechanical design and Product development process from Udemy

Product development is the process through which a mechanical product is realized from just an idea into a fully detailed entity ready for production.

This course is an attempt to cover that process at an introductory level covering all the key concepts, ideas and details from a perspective of a Mechanical design engineer.

The course is structured in a way as to build on the product development process step by step . From the way an Idea is generated, incubated, to how a concept is generated, evaluated, how specifications are created and set towards the system design of a product , followed by a overview of activities in Detailed design and prototyping.

Topics covered:

Opportunity identification and product idea generation
What are customer needs?
What are specifications and when are they set ? how are they set?
How are concepts generated?
How to select and score concepts?
Techniques for Generating ideas and concepts
What is modularity? and difference between modular designs and integral designs
What is product architecture along with the example of a Vehicle architecture
Importance of the Engineering drawing in Detail design
Design for X and Design for manufacturing and Assembly
Types of prototypes and the purpose of prototyping

What you will learn from this course?

To understand the overall process of product development and develop a Holistic understanding of how products are developed
To learn ways of developing ideas, opportunities for new product development
To understand concepts like product architecture, modularity and Interfaces relating to mechanical design.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction to the course

Product development of a Bike

History of Product development and difficulty

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers design for manufacturing and assembly, which are crucial considerations in mechanical engineering to optimize production processes and reduce costs

Explores modularity and product architecture, which are essential concepts for designing complex mechanical systems with interchangeable components and well-defined interfaces

Includes a section on engineering drawings, which are fundamental for communicating design specifications and ensuring accurate manufacturing of mechanical components

Discusses the importance of empathy in understanding customer needs, which is valuable for mechanical engineers to design user-centered products that meet market demands

Examines the design lifecycle of a part, which is important for mechanical engineers to understand the various stages involved in bringing a mechanical component from concept to production

Features case studies of bicycle design, which may be limited in scope and may not cover the full range of mechanical design applications

Reviews summary

Overview of mechanical product development process

According to learners, this course provides a solid, holistic introduction to the mechanical design and product development process. Students appreciate the structured, step-by-step approach that guides them from idea generation through to prototyping. Many find it a highly relevant overview for understanding the entire lifecycle. While it covers a wide range of topics, some reviewers suggest that specific areas like detailed design or certain analysis techniques are only touched upon, indicating it serves best as a foundational course rather than an in-depth technical deep dive. The course is generally seen as a valuable starting point for engineers and those involved in product creation.

Excellent introduction, may lack deep detail.

"This course is a fantastic introduction for beginners in product development."

"It provides a broad overview but doesn't go into deep technical detail on every topic."

"Good as a starting point, but you'll need more specialized resources for advanced topics."

"It sets a strong foundation, explaining key concepts clearly."

Includes practical examples to illustrate concepts.

"The examples provided, like the bicycle project, were very helpful for understanding the process."

"Using real-world examples made the theoretical concepts much easier to grasp."

"I found the application of the process to different products illustrative and useful."

Relevant for mechanical engineers.

"Highly relevant for mechanical engineering students or professionals."

"This course directly applies to my work in product development."

"It clarifies how engineering principles fit into the larger product creation cycle."

Presents topics logically and step-by-step.

"The way the course is structured step-by-step makes it easy to follow and understand the flow."

"Building the process stage by stage was very helpful for grasping the concepts."

"I appreciated the logical progression of topics throughout the modules."

Covers the entire product development process.

"The course gives a very good overview of the entire product development process from ideation to prototyping."

"I liked how the course covered the full lifecycle of product development, giving me a complete picture."

"It helped me understand the different stages and how they connect within mechanical design."

"It's a great way to see the big picture of how mechanical products are made."

Detailed design could use more depth.

"While the overview is good, I felt the detailed design section was a bit brief."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on specific aspects of detailed engineering design."

"I was hoping for more technical depth in the latter stages like analysis and DFMA."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mechanical design and Product development process with these activities:

Review Engineering Drawing Conventions

Show steps

Refresh your understanding of engineering drawing conventions to better interpret detailed designs later in the course.

Browse courses on Engineering Drawings

Show steps

Find a reputable online resource or textbook covering engineering drawing standards.
Review the different types of lines, dimensions, and tolerances used in engineering drawings.
Practice interpreting a few sample engineering drawings.

Review 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman

Show steps

Understand the importance of user-centered design in product development.

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters related to usability, affordances, and feedback.
Analyze everyday objects and identify examples of good and bad design.
Consider how these principles can be applied to mechanical product design.

Review 'Product Design and Development' by Ulrich and Eppinger

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the product development lifecycle and methodologies.

View Product Design and Development on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters related to concept generation, selection, and prototyping.
Take notes on key concepts and methodologies.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to mechanical design.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Design a Simple Product

Show steps

Apply the concepts learned in the course by designing a simple mechanical product from start to finish.

Show steps

Identify a need or problem that can be solved with a mechanical product.
Generate several concepts for the product.
Evaluate and select the best concept.
Create a detailed design of the product, including engineering drawings.
Build a prototype of the product.

Create a Presentation on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of DFMA principles by researching and presenting on the topic.

Show steps

Research DFMA principles and guidelines.
Prepare a presentation outlining the key concepts of DFMA.
Include examples of how DFMA can improve product design and reduce manufacturing costs.
Present your findings to a peer or colleague.

Follow Online Tutorials on CAD Software

Show steps

Enhance your CAD skills by following online tutorials and practicing different modeling techniques.

Show steps

Choose a CAD software package relevant to mechanical design (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360).
Find online tutorials that cover specific modeling techniques, such as creating complex surfaces or assemblies.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice the techniques on your own.

Create a Bill of Materials (BOM) for a Complex Assembly

Show steps

Practice creating a detailed BOM to improve your understanding of part management and assembly processes.

Show steps

Select a complex mechanical assembly (e.g., a bicycle, a small engine).
Identify all the individual parts and components that make up the assembly.
Create a BOM that lists each part, its quantity, material, and supplier information.
Organize the BOM in a hierarchical structure to reflect the assembly process.

Career center

Learners who complete Mechanical design and Product development process will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Development Engineer

Product development engineers are involved in all stages of product creation, from initial concept to final release. This course is tailor-made for product development engineers, providing a holistic understanding of the product development process, including opportunity identification, concept generation, system design, detailed design, and prototyping. The course material will give the product development engineer a solid foundation in the principles and practices of bringing mechanical products to market. A product development engineer may find the bonus lecture on mechanical and machine design particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the product development process, which is central to the role of a mechanical engineer. The course's coverage of concept generation, system design, detailed design, prototyping, and design for manufacturing and assembly are directly relevant to the daily activities of a mechanical engineer. A mechanical engineer may find the bonus lecture on the engineering design process for machine design particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Design Engineer

Design engineers are responsible for creating and developing new product designs, from initial concept to final production. The material in this course directly supports the work of a design engineer by providing a structured approach to product development, covering opportunity identification, concept generation, system design, and detailed design. The course's emphasis on engineering drawings, material selection, and manufacturing process selection are also valuable for a design engineer. A design engineer may find the discussion on design for x and design for manufacturing and assembly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

Product Designer

Product designers focus on the user experience and aesthetics of a product, ensuring it is both functional and appealing. A product designer may find insight in a course on the product development process. This better allows them to integrate their design ideas with engineering and manufacturing considerations. An understanding of prototyping is valuable during design. A product designer will definitely find the bonus lecture interesting and useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Product Manager

A product manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition of a product or product line. This course helps a product manager understand the mechanical design and product development process, providing insights into how mechanical products are conceived, designed, and brought to market. Understanding customer needs, setting specifications, and concept generation are all skills that are valuable for a product manager. Exposure to product architecture and modularity may be useful for managing complex products. A product manager may find the discussion of prototypes useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Research and Development Engineer

Research and development engineers investigate and develop new products, processes, and technologies. This course helps research and development engineers by providing a structured approach to product development, covering opportunity identification, concept generation, and prototyping. The course may prove useful for understanding customer needs and setting specifications, which are crucial for developing successful products. A research and development engineer may find the discussion of proof of concept and form only models useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research and Development Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers develop and implement efficient production processes to ensure products are manufactured effectively and meet quality standards. This course helps manufacturing engineers by providing insights into the product development process and how design decisions impact manufacturing. Topics such as design for manufacturing and assembly, material selection, and manufacturing process selection are directly applicable to the work of a manufacturing engineer. A manufacturing engineer may find the lessons on prototyping very useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to design the products people use every day. The product design process discussed in this course helps industrial designers understand the engineering considerations involved in product development. Topics like concept generation, prototyping, and design for manufacturing provide valuable context for industrial designers. An industrial designer may find the discussion of modularity useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Project Engineer

Project engineers plan, coordinate, and manage engineering projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This course may assist a project engineer by providing a comprehensive understanding of the product development process, enabling them to effectively manage projects involving the design and manufacture of mechanical products. Topics like setting specifications, concept evaluation, and system design are particularly relevant to project management. The lessons on prototyping and its purposes may be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer

Quality Engineer

Quality engineers develop and implement systems to ensure that products meet quality standards and customer expectations. This course helps quality engineers understand the product development process from start to finish. This understanding can be valuable in designing and implementing effective quality control measures. Topics such as design for manufacturing and assembly and prototyping may give insight into the quality considerations with each stage. A quality engineer may find the examples of product development useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Engineering Manager

Engineering managers oversee engineering teams and projects, ensuring that technical goals are met. A course such as this may prove useful to an engineering manager by providing a holistic view of the product development process. This understanding can aid in making informed decisions and leading engineering teams effectively. Topics covered such as system design and detailed design may be valuable when overseeing a project. An engineering manager may find the discussion of product Innovation useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager

Design Consultant

A design consultant advises clients on design strategies and solutions to improve products or processes. A course covering the product development process may be useful, providing a structured framework for analyzing design challenges. Topics such as opportunity identification, concept generation, and system design are relevant to developing effective design recommendations. A design consultant may find the discussion of market opportunities useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Consultant

Manufacturing Supervisor

Manufacturing supervisors oversee production operations and ensure that manufacturing processes run smoothly. A manufacturing supervisor may find it useful to take a course that discusses the product development process. This knowledge can help them understand how design decisions impact manufacturing efficiency and quality. The course's coverage of design for manufacturing and assembly is valuable for optimizing production processes. The discussion of engineering analysis may be insightful for a supervisor as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Supervisor

Test Engineer

Test engineers plan and conduct tests on products to ensure they meet performance and quality standards. This course helps test engineers understand the product development process, which is essential for designing effective test plans. Topics such as setting specifications and prototyping provide valuable insights into product requirements and potential failure points. The types of prototypes covered may be especially insightful. A test engineer may find the project work useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Engineer

CAD Technician

A CAD technician creates technical drawings and 3D models of products using computer aided design software. A CAD technician may find a course on the product development process to be useful. This allows them to understand how their work fits into the broader context of product creation. The course's emphasis on detailed design and engineering drawings is directly relevant to the responsibilities of a CAD technician. A CAD technician may find the discussion on design for x useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for CAD Technician

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mechanical design and Product development process.

Product Design and Development

Save

Comprehensive guide to the entire product development process, covering everything from identifying customer needs to launching a successful product. It provides a structured approach to product development, with clear explanations of key concepts and practical examples. This book is commonly used as a textbook in product development courses and valuable resource for both students and professionals. It adds depth to the course by providing a more detailed and comprehensive treatment of the topics covered.

Product Design and Development

Paperback

Check price

Product Design and Development

Kindle Edition

Check price

Things That Make Us Smart

Save

Explores the principles of good design and how they can be applied to create user-friendly products. It emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and designing products that are intuitive and easy to use. While not strictly focused on mechanical design, it provides valuable insights into the human factors aspects of product development. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...

Kindle Edition

Mechanical design and Product development process

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Overview of mechanical product development process

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

Udemy Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Free Lecture Previews

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Verified Academic & Industry Partner