Mechanical Engineering Design

The design considerations are listed below:

Mechanical Engineering Design is a complex process, it requires the knowledge of the various disciplines such as Strength of Materials, Material Science, Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics, Kinetics and Kinematics,  Metrology and Measurements and so on. In general a team of design engineers, each having expertise in one or more discipline(s), work on a project.

To start with the designer has to first of all understand the basic features of the product which is to be designed. Then, depending upon the product features, the design engineer has to proceed. In doing so, one has to make use of  the available resources and ready information and the standard codes available. The designer must also ensure that the product is functional, reliable, safe, usable, manufacturable, marketable and competitive. 

Design Considerations: 

1. Strength                      9. Marketability
2.Functionality             10. Maintenance
3. Reliability                  11. Corrosion
4. Safety                         12 Manufacturability
5. Cost                             13. Weight
6.Utility                          14. Noise 
7. Life                              15 Shape & Volume 
8. Size                             16 Wear & Tear                                    

Some of the above characteristics are directly related to the materials of construction. Some are interrelated which may demand some compromises and some manipulation too. 

Resources and Design Tools available:  

In today's advanced age of science and technology the resources available to a designer are innumerable. With the availability of powerful computers and design software, known as Cad,  it has become easy to design components and assemblies on a computer and even test it using simulation tools of the Cad software. 

Apart from the ease of laying out on 2-D  platform and using Solid Modelling tools available in the Cad Software as 3-D feature, now a days plenty of usable information is available in the form of Handbooks and Pocketbooks. In the present competitive market, the industry offers plenty of information about it's products which assists the designer in a big way. 

The Designer's responsibility: 

The design engineer is responsible to satisfy the requirement of customer/client with a professional product design which is not only functional, safe, attractive etc. but also has a competitive cost. The customer/client, who may be a manufacturer, is able to offer a high quality product at a competitive price to his buyers.