Questions and Answers| Updated
How might we create the best possible solution to a problem?
Engineers try to think "outside the box" in order to solve new problems or find
ways to improve current solutions.
What is the most effective way to generate potential solutions to a problem?
How many alternate solutions should you generate?
Brainstorming with a group, research and testing possible solutions
What is an engineer? What types of work do engineers do?
Engineering is the application of mathematics and scientific principles to better or
improve life.An engineer is a person who is trained in and uses technological and
scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. Research, Develop, Design,
Supervise, Manage, Production and Construction,operations,plant management,
and sales
Why Keep an Engineering Notebook?
An engineering notebook is recognized as a legal document that is used in patent
activities to...
Prove the origin of an idea that led to a solution
,Prove when events or ideas occurred
Prove diligence in turning the idea into a solution
Prove when an idea became a working solution ("reduced to practice")
What are the 4 best Practices for the Engineering Notebook?
Be Neat,
be Accurate,
be Legible,
be Thorough
Explain the concept of proportion.
Paying close attention to the underlying basic shapes and the relative proportions
of various features of the object will allow you to more accurately reflect the true
shapes and proportions of the object in your sketch
Why would the ability to create realistic sketches make a person a more
competent designer
Representing existing objects and new ideas with sketches can make the design
process more effective and efficient and greatly enhance the ability of others to
understand your ideas.Allows them to communicate their ideas more clearly.
,What is the purpose of sketching your ideas?
Sketches provide a means through which one can quickly and clearly
communicate ideas
Define and differentiate invention and innovation.
Invention: A new product, system, or process that has never existed before,
created by study and experimentation.
Innovation: An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or
method of doing something.
Brainstorm
A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative
thinking, etc. by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion
Constraint
1. A limit to a design process. Constraints may be such things as appearance,
funding, space, materials, and human capabilities. 2. A limitation or restriction.
Design
. An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are
converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve
, problems. 2. A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or
workings of something before it is built or made. 3. A decorative pattern.
A Design Brief
A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its
constraints. The design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a
problem before attempting a solution.
Design Statement
A part of a design brief that challenges the designer, describes what a design
solution should do without describing how to solve the problem, and identifies
the degree to which the solution must be executed.
Engineering Notebook
An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer will formally document,
in chronological order, all of his/her work that is associated with a specific design
project.
Prototype
A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual
observations and necessary adjustments.