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Mufaddal Rasheed

Creativity combined with practical well engineered design is the fuel for innovation .

Mechanical design engineering - the profession of creating and analyzing systems which do useful physical work is based on the "Conceptualization of Systems" .  Problem solving skills are most sought after in engineers beyond just CAD and tool focused skills.

This course is all about the conceptualization of mechanical designs.

Focusing on the Design Process and elaborating a thought process which can be applied in action during solving Mechanical design problems.

Read more

Creativity combined with practical well engineered design is the fuel for innovation .

Mechanical design engineering - the profession of creating and analyzing systems which do useful physical work is based on the "Conceptualization of Systems" .  Problem solving skills are most sought after in engineers beyond just CAD and tool focused skills.

This course is all about the conceptualization of mechanical designs.

Focusing on the Design Process and elaborating a thought process which can be applied in action during solving Mechanical design problems.

Multiple projects are covered which give a wide and also in depth look at Concept development activity .

Who is it for?

- Mechanical Design engineers working in industry , to improve their conceptualization skills and problem solving skills

- Engineering students to work on challenging projects going beyond the basics of Engineering to Practical problem solving.

Pre-requisites ?

- Familiarity with usage of CAD packages (any)

- Familiarity with basic engineering concepts

What are the Learning outcomes?

- An action focused procedure to breakdown a design problem and define it for developing a solution

- Develop a Concept generation skill through practice

How best to utilize the course?

- Practice and more practice - There are multiple projects included in the course which challenge thinking and with deliberate practice will improve conceptualization skills.

This course focusses on "conceptual problem solving" rather than the accuracy and precision of complete product design . The concepts developed may not be optimal . The reason why input files are provided are to encourage alternative concepts and ideas.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to formulate a problem into a logical framework to improve problem solving
  • How to select concepts based on criteria
  • The concept development process within the larger product development
  • Multiple examples to develop problem solving through practice

Syllabus

Introduction
Engineering Design process
Types of Mechanical end products
Problem decomposition from product to system to component level
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Structures and Mechanisms in Mechanical systems
Types of Design problems
Structured Problem Solving framework for a design problem
Structured Problem solving - Part 1
Structured Problem solving - Part 2
Definition of Function - Functional keywords
ICF Framework for Problem Definition and Formulation
What is Concept Evaluation ? Levels of concept Evaluation
Concept Selection
Manufacturing and Assembly considerations in Preliminary design
Designing with Assembly in mind - Practices
Summary and Action Items
Concept Development Projects -
Introduction to Projects
Design of L bracket
Designing of Lighting mount
Design of Welded Outrigger component
Design of Fastened Outrigger component
Design of a Bell Crank lever in a system
Design of a Quick Fit Assembly
Design of Idle Pulley and Tensioning system
Design of Enclosure with Simultaneous motion
Design of Simple Caster wheel with Spring Suspension
Design of T- Gripper For workpiece
Design of Articulating Microphone mount
Design of 3 Jaw Gripper for Cylindrical workpiece
Design of system for motion of Reciprocating Blades
Design of Steering system mechanism
Design of Blank Piercing Manual device
Practice Projects
Practice Exercise 1 - Post clamp mount bracket
Practice Exercise 2 - Steering Column mounting bracket system
Practice Exercise 3 : Rear Footstep mount
Practice Exercise 4 : Double Wiper Mechanism

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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 concept design Problem solving with 15 projects with these activities:
Review CAD Fundamentals
Refresh your understanding of CAD software and basic modeling techniques to prepare for the design projects in this course.
Browse courses on CAD
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  • Review CAD software tutorials.
  • Practice basic modeling exercises.
  • Familiarize yourself with CAD shortcuts.
Review Basic Engineering Concepts
Review fundamental engineering principles to ensure a solid foundation for understanding the mechanical design concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Engineering Mechanics
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  • Review notes from introductory engineering courses.
  • Work through practice problems on statics and dynamics.
  • Review key concepts like stress, strain, and material properties.
Design a Simple Mechanism
Apply the concept development process learned in the course by designing a simple mechanism to solve a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem that can be solved with a simple mechanism.
  • Brainstorm different design concepts.
  • Create a CAD model of your chosen design.
  • Evaluate your design based on functionality and manufacturability.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Document Design Process for a Project
Solidify your understanding of the design process by documenting each step you take while working on one of the course projects.
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  • Choose a project from the course.
  • Document each step of your design process, including problem definition, concept generation, and concept selection.
  • Reflect on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
Review "The Design of Everyday Things"
Explore the principles of good design and usability to enhance your understanding of user-centered design.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on affordances, signifiers, and feedback.
  • Analyze everyday objects and identify examples of good and bad design.
  • Consider how you can apply these principles to your own design projects.
Review "Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach"
Gain a deeper understanding of the systematic approach to engineering design by reviewing this comprehensive book.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on problem definition and concept generation.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and methodologies presented.
  • Apply the concepts to one of the course projects.
Create a Portfolio of Design Projects
Showcase your design skills and problem-solving abilities by creating a portfolio of the projects you completed in this course.
Show steps
  • Select your best projects from the course.
  • Write a brief description of each project, highlighting the problem, your solution, and the key design decisions you made.
  • Include CAD models, drawings, and any other relevant documentation.
  • Organize your portfolio in a clear and professional manner.

Career center

Learners who complete Mechanical concept design Problem solving with 15 projects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Mechanical Engineer
A mechanical engineer researches, designs, develops, manufactures, and tests mechanical devices and systems. This course emphasizing the conceptualization of mechanical designs directly translates to the core responsibilities of a mechanical engineer. By focusing on the design process and problem-solving, this course helps build a foundation for tackling real-world engineering design challenges. The course's detailed exploration of concept development and the numerous projects designed to challenge thinking will give you a chance to improve conceptualization skills. Engineers may find the course useful for refining their approach to problem-solving and design.
Design Engineer
A design engineer focuses on creating and improving product designs. This course, with its focus on the conceptualization of mechanical designs and problem-solving skills, aligns well with the responsibilities of a design engineer. Specifically the course content covers concept generation and evaluation which helps with product development. The course projects, such as the design of a bell crank lever or a quick fit assembly, provide practical experience in addressing common design challenges. The knowledge you learn may accelerate your career as a design engineer.
Product Development Engineer
A product development engineer oversees the entire lifecycle of a product, from initial concept to market release. Given the course's title, the product development engineer may find value in the material. This course's emphasis on the design process and concept development helps build a solid foundation for managing the complexities of product development. The focus on problem-solving and the numerous projects included in the course may prepare you to tackle the diverse challenges encountered during the development of new products throughout the full product lifecycle.
Engineering Technician
An engineering technician assists engineers in the design, development, and testing of products. This course, with its practical projects and focus on problem-solving, helps the engineering technician to better understand the engineering principles behind the designs. The course may improve the overall effectiveness of the engineering technician.
Research and Development Engineer
A research and development engineer works on innovative projects, exploring new technologies and improving existing products. This course, focusing on the conceptualization of mechanical designs, can be particularly valuable for research and development. The course's emphasis on the design process and concept development provides a framework for approaching novel engineering challenges. The practice projects, like designing a steering system or a blank piercing manual device, offer opportunities to refine problem-solving skills in a research-oriented context. A research and development engineer may find the course helpful.
CAD Technician
A computer aided design technician creates technical drawings and models using CAD software. While this course goes beyond CAD proficiency, the familiarity with CAD packages assumed as a prerequisite complements the skills needed by a CAD technician. The course's focus on the design process and concept development provides a broader understanding of the engineering principles behind the drawings. The knowledge gained from the course may make the CAD technician more effective in contributing to the design process.
Maintenance Engineer
A maintenance engineer is responsible for maintaining and repairing mechanical systems. This course, with its focus on mechanical design principles, helps the maintenance engineer to better understand the systems they are working on. Maintenance engineers benefit by understanding the design intent of systems, and can use that to better maintain systems.
Manufacturing Engineer
A manufacturing engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing processes and ensuring efficient production. This course, with its focus on the design process and problem-solving, helps build a foundation for understanding the manufacturing considerations in preliminary design. The course projects, such as designing a welded or fastened outrigger component, give insight into key aspects of design for manufacturability. A manufacturing engineer improves their understanding of the design side, and design engineers benefit by understanding manufacturing. This is valuable as a design decision early in the product lifecycle is critical.
Field Service Engineer
A field service engineer provides on-site technical support and maintenance for equipment. This course, with its emphasis on problem-solving and understanding mechanical design principles, helps the field service engineer better diagnose and resolve issues in the field. The field service engineer may find the course useful.
Systems Engineer
A systems engineer focuses on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems. This course, with its emphasis on the conceptualization of mechanical designs and problem-solving, aligns well with the systems approach to engineering. The course's content on problem decomposition helps you analyze complex systems into manageable components. The course helps you to develop a more holistic understanding of how individual components contribute to the overall system performance. The systems engineer benefits from the focus on problem breakdown and structured solutions.
Robotics Engineer
A robotics engineer designs, develops, and tests robots and robotic systems. This course, with its focus on mechanical design conceptualization, may be relevant to robotics. The course's design projects, like designing a three jaw gripper or a system for reciprocating blades, have direct applications in robotics. The course projects, like designing a three jaw gripper or a system for reciprocating blades, offer practical experience in designing mechanical systems for automation. The robotics engineer benefits from the mechanical focus of the course.
Automation Engineer
An automation engineer designs and implements automated systems to improve efficiency and productivity. This course, with its emphasis on mechanical design conceptualization and problem-solving, may be useful for automation. The course’s projects, such as designing a system for motion of reciprocating blades, will enable you to improve conceptualization skills. The course may accelerate your career as an automation engineer.
Technical Sales Engineer
A technical sales engineer sells complex technical products or services. This course, with its focus on mechanical design and problem-solving, helps the technical sales engineer better understand the products they are selling. The technical sales engineer may find the course beneficial.
Test Engineer
A test engineer designs and implements tests to evaluate the performance and reliability of products. This course, while not directly focused on testing, emphasizes problem-solving and understanding design principles. The conceptualization process is important for designing an effective test suite. A test engineer with a background in how systems are designed may be better positioned to design realistic reliability tests.
Quality Assurance Engineer
A quality assurance engineer is responsible for ensuring that products meet certain quality standards. This course, with its focus on mechanical design principles, may provide a useful foundation for quality assurance. By understanding the design process and potential failure points, a quality assurance engineer can develop more effective testing and inspection procedures. This may make the quality assurance engineer more well-rounded and effective.

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 concept design Problem solving with 15 projects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the engineering design process, covering topics such as problem definition, concept generation, and concept evaluation. It valuable resource for understanding the systematic approach to design. This book adds depth to the course by providing a more detailed and theoretical framework for the design process. It is commonly used as a textbook in engineering design courses.
Explores the principles of good design and how they can be applied to everyday objects. It emphasizes the importance of usability, understandability, and aesthetics in design. While not directly focused on mechanical design, it provides valuable insights into user-centered design principles. This book is more valuable as additional reading to broaden design perspectives.

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