Abstract:
In this work, a simple method is presented, assisting
engineering designers in dealing with innovative technologies
during the conceptual phase of engineering design. The
technique emphasises on determining Critical Design Issues, as
well as evaluating new technologies early on in order to define
a Critical Design Path. Since time and budget constraints often
demand prompt design decisions, a systematic, easy-to-follow
concept analysis and evaluation framework is introduced,
allowing engineers to quickly identify critical design issues.
The proposed method is demonstrated using the conceptual
development of an innovative positive displacement device as a
case study. The study indicates that, particularly in absence of
essential knowledge within early development stages,
experimental design can provide a cost effective method of
identifying potential design problems, and thus, reducing
design iterations, development time and risk, as long as a
suitable design process is also in place.
The evaluation of potential design solutions can be
achieved by conceptual prototypes, which may represent a
specific critical technology, or embody initial ideas to quickly
gain knowledge that is crucial for the development of new
design concepts. This allows the designer to reduce intuition
and guesswork, whilst detecting unanticipated effects and
phenomena, delivering deeper insight and communicating
ideas.
The method proved to be a significant tool for rapid and
goal-oriented conceptual design. Through the proliferation of
recent prototyping technologies, along with a reduction of
design iterations, the concepts could be developed and verified
on a low budget over a short development time.
