Engineering Design: Role of Theory, Models, and Methods

Abstract

“Design” can be a noun or a verb. Six paths for research into engineering design (verb) are identified, and must be coordinated for consistency and plausibility. Design engineering and artistic forms of designing, industrial design, have much in common, but also differences. For an attractive and user-friendly product, its form (observable shape) is important—a task for industrial designers, architects, etc. “Conceptualizing” consists of preliminary sketches of hardware—industrial designers work “outside inwards,” resulting in a model for visual assessment. For a product that should work and fulfill a purpose, its capability for operation is important—the product is a technical system, a task for engineering designers using the engineering sciences, and other information. The outcome of design engineering is a set of manufacturing instructions and analytical verification of anticipated performance. Engineering designers tend to be primary for technical systems, and their operational and manufacturing processes—they work “inside outwards.” The outcome of design engineering is a set of manufacturing instructions—engineering drawings—and analytical verification of anticipated performance. Design engineering can apply a theory of technical systems and engineering design science, with abstract models, to suggest design methods to assist engineering designers. The theory of technical systems includes tasks of a technical system, its life cycle, duty cycle, properties, mode of action, development in time, and others. A derived design methodology is usable for engineering design processes. The methodology is demonstrated and verified by case examples.