Course Web Site

http://www.design.caltech.edu/Courses/ME71/

What is Design?

In an engineering context, the word "Design" refers to problem solving, i.e., the application of engineering science and technology to solve real-world problems. Design is at the heart of mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and computer engineering. Much of what practicing engineers do is design, or is analylsis done in support of design. Even engineers and scientists who perform research must often design apparatus in the course of their research.

Design is simultaneously a creative, analytical, and cumulative process. While a certain amount of design can be taught in a lecture format, design is often best learned by hands-on experience. This course will introduce students to the broader notion of engineering design, while primarily focusing on the design domain traditionally known as "mechanical design."

Intent and Goals of ME71:

The goals of this course are to:

• Present an introductory overview of design as a creative process.
• Introduce design trade-offs by having students perform a range of design activities.
• Introduce students to the machine shop and basic fabrication methods.
• Review basic graphical presentation skills.
• Introduce a limited subset of basic mechanical elements (pulleys, fasteners, springs, and bearings) that are used in machine design.
• Prepare students for a more advanced design experience in ME72.

Format of ME71:

Because design is a largely experiential subject, the class format will differ somewhat from traditional engineering courses. A large portion of the class lecture time will be devoted to in-class projects, design competitions, and machine shop instruction. In the latter part of the course, students will be expected to spend a significant amount of time in the machine shop constructing their final projects.

Homework, Projects, and Grading:

Late Policy

The ME71 Late Homework Policy is available online.

If an extension is granted in advance by Prof. Antonsson, a note (e.g., printed e-mail message) indicating the amount of the extension must be attached to the homework. Students are responsible for securely attching their name to their assignments and placing them in the grading bin before the due date. Assignments not placed in the grading bin will not be graded and will be considered late.

Shop Tools

At the beginning of the quarter, each student will be assigned a set of basic hand tools to be used in the M.E. shop. If all of the tools are returned at the end of the quarter, then the student's grade will be turned in to the registrar. Otherwise, no grade will be recorded until the missing tools are replaced, or the cost of the tools has been reimbursed to the shop.

References

There is no text for this course, and we will photocopy and distribute course material as necessary. Parts of the course will borrow heavily from the books listed below. Copies of these books will be available on Reserve at the Sherman Fairchild Libarary, and available in the Caltech Bookstore.

• James L. Adams, Conceptual Blockbusting, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1974 (third edition, 1992).
• James L. Adams, The Care and Feeding of Ideas, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1986.
• McKim, Robert H., Thinking Visually: A Strategy Manual for Problem Solving, Dale Seymour Publications, 1997, ISBN: 0-866514236 (paperback), 224 pages.
• Otto, Kevin and Kristin Wood, Product Design: Techniques in Reverse Engineering and New Product Development Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-13-021271-7 (hardcover), 800 pages.
• Ulrich, Karl T., and Steven D. Eppinger, Product Design and Development, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2000, ISBN: 0-07-229647-X (hardcover), 358 pages.
• Shigley, Joseph E., and Charles R. Mischke, Mechanical Engineering Design, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, New York 1989, ISBN: 0-07-056899-5 (hardcover), 779 pages.
• Magrab, Edward B., Integrated Product and Process Design and Development: The Product Realization Process, CRC Press, 1997, ISBN: 0-8493-8483-4 (hardcover), 450 pages.