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Before computers, design methods had changed little since
the Renaissance, 5.50 years ago. Electronic technology has
now taken pencil and paper from the hands of engineers, given
them. Digital Design tools, and pushed them toward a Star
Trek future they can only speculate upon.
Modern-day mechanical design principles can be traced to Filippo
Brunelleschi, a Renaissance architect famed for designing
the cupola for Santa Maria del Fiore 1n Florence in the 14205.
He invented a new method of design, with basic six-step design
process, consisting of the analysis of design requirements,
making a concept design, making a detailed design, planning
the manufacturing process, manufacturing the parts and assembling.
This method may sound conventional to modern ears, but it
was the first time this six step process happened in history.
The design process stayed this way until. the 1970s. For 500
years, engineers carried out this six-step process, the same
six-steps.
The switch to concurrent engineering may have changed the
way mechanical engineers do their Work, and around that time
(about 40 years ago), an even more important phenomenon shook
up 500 years of proven design methods: the advent of Computer
Aided Design.
The first CAD application significantly slashed design time.
A part that took talented arid experienced draftsman 50 hours
to draw could now take an engineer 12 minutes to render.
Real design starts within the human head
and engineers still use pencil and paper to jotdesigns during
early concept. But, early jottings aside, widespread use of
CAD technology has changed a number of things about the product
development process. The number of people who Work together
on a project can be reduced, because CAD streamlines design.
Now, engineers analyze while they design, which ensures that
the part won't have to be significantly re¬engineered
after the first prototype has been built. Also engineers can
send a design back and forth digitally, communicating while
they design. This also speeds the process. The tool allows
engineers to try many different design iterat10ns before they
commit to one.
Some predict that, within the next few years, improved network
throughput speeds, coupled with increased power and memory
of CAD systems, will allow future engineers to design an entire
product as a system rather than as separate pieces. Furthermore,
the inclusion of virtual reality technology within engineering
software will allow engineers to see exactly how their designs
will look as products. The next step will be' the holodeck.
Engineers will be able to enter a room in which lasers and
computers generate 3-D designs around them. This would allow
an engineer to walk around the design, as today an engineer
can walk around a car as it is being built.
Source: ESME News Volum V
Issue No. 1 May 2004.
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