You need to know your engineering design process

Описание: 1. Define the Problem

Start by clearly understanding what the end goal is.
If you can’t define the problem properly, you can’t solve it.
This step sets the direction for everything else.

2. Brainstorm & Sketch Ideas

Brainstorming produces both good and bad ideas, and that’s the point.
Sometimes your best idea comes from refining a “bad” one.
Sketching helps you visualize concepts quickly and cheaply before committing to anything.

3. Research Solutions (After Brainstorming)

Do research after brainstorming so your creativity isn’t clouded by someone else’s solution.
Look into existing designs, materials, mechanisms, and industry practices to improve your direction.

4. Evaluate Concepts

Use a method like a decision matrix to compare your ideas based on:

cost

complexity

manufacturability

reliability

safety

constraints
Choose the concept that works best within your limits, not just the one that “looks cool.”

5. CAD & Model the Design

Turn your sketch into a 3D model.
This step exposes real constraints — manufacturing limitations, geometry conflicts, tool access, tolerances, and how complex the solution actually is.

6. Do Analysis & Calculations

Verify your design with the necessary calculations.
This can include:

material strength

deflection

torque loads

thermal behavior

stress points
Make sure your design meets the required constraints before you build it.

7. Prototype — Fast

Use quick prototyping methods like 3D printing to check:

measurements

fit

mechanism movement

assembly order

tolerance stack-ups
Rapid prototyping saves weeks of time and prevents expensive mistakes.

8. Iterate → Improve → Finalize

No design is perfect on the first try.
Improve the prototype, fix issues, simplify where possible, refine tolerances, and move through alpha versions toward your final design.