A new approach to the detail design phase of the IIDE Design Process through insights from software design

Abstract

The Engineering Design Process has been described in different ways by means of different approaches. Attempts to compare the Design Process in mechanical engineering with design in other fields have been made. This thesis compares the IIDE (Institute for Innovation and Design in Engineering, Texas A&M University) Design Process with Software Design Processes. A new approach to the IIDE Detail Design Process is proposed based on some insights from an examination of the Software Design Process. The new approach incorporates a logical division of activities in the Detail Design Phase. This helps in efficient execution of Detail Design. This approach views the Detail Design Phase as consisting of the following sub-categories: Data Design, Configurational Design and Procedural Design. Data Design deals with management of information content in the design. Configurational Design enables effective representation and communication of the design. Procedural Design elaborates on the procedural aspects of the design. This thesis also proposes a set of checkpoints to be used to confirm that the necessary attention has been paid to the various phases within the Detail Design Phase. Two design projects, one on "SMART Parking System" and the other on "Design of a Flexible Wire-line Tool Joint" are presented as case studies to demonstrate the application of the new approach that is proposed.