Steps for Creating Concepts<\/h2>\n
The conceptualisation phase itself is a step in the larger engineering process, which goes like this:<\/p>\n
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- Identifying customer needs<\/li>\n
- Defining the problem and objectives<\/li>\n
- Concept generation<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Drafting and analysis<\/li>\n
- Detailed design and drawings<\/li>\n
- Creating a prototype<\/li>\n
- Testing<\/li>\n
- Final delivery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of course, the practical engineer in you probably says you usually lack the time and resources to touch half of those points. If your client is after a one-off machine, you probably do not have the money to create a full-scale prototype for rigorous testing.<\/p>\n
This, however, does not mean that you should skip everything other than customer needs, engineering drawings<\/a> and manufacturing. It only means that you are probably more restricted when it comes to trying out wholly new ideas because you cannot test if they actually work out as planned.<\/p>\n
Even if you have to stay on the safer side, going through the concept process is of help when looking to provide the best possible solution to answer the need. So let’s take a look at what it entails.<\/p>\n
Product concept generation steps are as follows:<\/p>\n
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- Understanding the problem<\/li>\n
- Researching established solutions<\/li>\n
- Brainstorming & ideation<\/li>\n
- Assessing the ideas & solutions<\/li>\n
- Picking the winner & start working on it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Step 1 – Understanding the Problem<\/h2>\n
The first step is the basis for all the next ones. Not managing to get this one right will render the whole development process futile.<\/p>\n
Bear in mind that you are the engineer and the customer may not always know what kind of information is actually necessary. They may have a vision for a solution which ignores many important details.<\/p>\n
Thus, you have to be really methodical at this stage. Visit the site (e.g. production facilities), ask about the project goals, who must benefit and how, what are the requirements for the design, etc.<\/p>\n
All this contributes a great deal in the next steps. You will know what questions to ask yourself before putting anything to paper (or CAD).<\/p>\n
Step 2 – Researching Established Solutions<\/h2>\n
Before getting to generating your own designs, expose yourself to the available information. Researching solutions for the same and similar problems<\/em> is a great way to kickstart the product development process.<\/p>\n
![\"Googling](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/woodchopper.jpg\")
Google’s answers for “wood chopping machine”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Your best friend at this step is Google, for sure. You can also find other great sources like GrabCAD from our list of best sites for mechanical engineers<\/a>. Look up everything and anything related to your problem.<\/p>\n
There is a reason, however, why the customer is turning to you. Maybe he didn’t find what he was looking for, although it exists. Maybe he needs a customised solution. Maybe there is nothing available on the market that could satisfy the requirements.<\/p>\n
Whatever the answer, there will be solutions similar enough. Exposing yourself to them is necessary before going on to the next stage.<\/p>\n
Maybe your customer needs a solution for opening doors softly so the wind couldn’t blow it wide open with a bang. And nothing like that exists. Go on doing the research about mechanisms for closing doors softly. You may find a lot of inspiration if you do not limit yourself too narrowly.<\/p>\n
That is also why seasoned engineers are so valuable. Even if they have not worked on a project with a similar scope, bringing in the experience from a variety of different projects will help immensely. Implementing an idea that answers a similar problem may need some adjusting, but it’s a good start.<\/p>\n
Step 3 – Brainstorming and Ideation<\/h2>\n
Now we get to put the research phase behind us to move on to the creative side of the design process. As we outlined in our tips for engineers article<\/a>, we always advise generating at least 3 solutions to choose from.<\/p>\n
Of course, on your way to these options, you will come up with a lot more ideas. But the 3 that pass the initial judgment will go into more detail. This includes the use of manufacturing technology, an in-depth analysis of the most difficult sub-assemblies, etc. We’ll get to that in Step 4.<\/p>\n
Techniques for Producing Concepts<\/h3>\n
Engineers are famous for their ability to think critically. We are also notorious for the ability to shoot down ideas that do not make sense from the start.<\/p>\n
When looking to create a new concept for a product, the latter quality is not really useful. At least not at this stage. It is better to switch off the critical thinking part when looking to come up with a variety of ideas. Using modern AI tools like image generators<\/a> can be a big help in developing new visual concepts, offering lots of inspiration and a wide range of possibilities.<\/p>\n
Although the ideas you will include a lot of rubbish, even the worst ones may contribute to the final concept in one way or another. A single design element stemming from a horrible initial idea is still very valuable.<\/p>\n
The most important part is to make sure your imagination can flow freely. It is a skill that requires development, for sure. A great resource for finding ways to develop that skill is Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Here, we are going to outline the most common strategies to come up with some ideas.<\/p>\n
Brainstorming<\/h4>\n
![\"Brainstorming](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Brainstorming.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLet’s start with the most famous one of them all – brainstorming. This is a group exercise that is based on two premises – quantity breeds quality and deferring judgment.<\/p>\n
The optimal size for a group is between 5-10 people and there should be a designated group leader. A session can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour and there is one goal only – to come up with a lot of ideas. Of course, first, you need to lay out the problem details you pinpointed in the first step.<\/p>\n
Everyone will have to work together to continue developing each other’s ideas. A good practice to follow is answering an idea with “Yes, and…” rather than “Yes, but…”. This will set the tone for the whole process.<\/p>\n
The group leader can change the subject once a single idea has been followed through and rapid progress wanes down.<\/p>\n
An important aspect here is that the brainstorming session can, and maybe should, include people from outside the circle of design engineers. These people can bring in a fresh view without much of the restricting logic. Big companies often have this type of people on the team who will never make the next step with the project. Their goal is to contribute solely at this stage.<\/p>\n
It is the product development team’s task to later assess these ideas and choose whether using them in the concept is realistic or not.<\/p>\n
\n\n Scale Your Manufacturing from Prototyping to Series<\/span>\n\n- \n
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