Embodiment Design

Activities of Embodiment Design

• Product architecture— determining the
arrangement of the physical elements of the
design into groupings, called modules
• Configuration design—the design of special-
purpose parts and the selection of standard
components, like pumps or motors
• Parametric design— determining the exact
values, dimensions, or tolerances of the
components or component features that are
deemed critical-to-quality
Configuration Design
In configuration design we establish the
shape and general dimensions of
components.
A component is used in the generic sense to include
special-purpose parts, standard parts, and standard
assemblies.
A Part is a designed object that has no assembly
operations in its manufacture. A part is characterized
by its geometric features such as holes, slots, walls,
ribs, projections, fillets, and chamfers. The
arrangement of features includes both the location and
orientation of the geometric features.
Ex. Four possible configurations of features
of a right-angle bracket

(a) Bent from a flat plate.

(b) Machined from a solid block.
(c) Bracket welded from three pieces.
(d) Cast bracket.
A standard part is one that has a generic function
and is manufactured routinely without regard to
a particular product. Examples are bolts,
washers, rivets, and I-beams.
A special-purpose part is designed and
manufactured for a specific purpose in a specific
product line
A subassembly is an assembly that is included
within another assembly or subassembly.
A standard assembly is an assembly or
subassembly that has a generic function and is
manufactured routinely. Examples are electric
motors, pumps, and gearboxes
Steps in making Configuration Design
1. Review the product design specification and any
specifications developed for the particular subassembly to
which the component belongs.
2. Establish the spatial constraints that pertain to the product
or the subassembly being designed.
3. Create and refine the interfaces or connections between
components.
4. Answer the following questions: Can the part be eliminated
or combined with another part?
5. Can a standard part or subassembly be used? While a
standard part is generally less costly than a special-
purpose part, two standard parts may not be less costly
than one special-purpose part that replaces them.
Schematic illustrating the close interrelationship
between function and form and, in turn, their
dependence on the material and the method of
production
Figure shows the progression of a design configuration
from a rough sketch (a) to a 3-D computer model (b) to a
detailed three-view engineering drawing. Note the
increase in detail from (a) to (b) to (c).
Generating Alternative Configurations

Images that come to a designer’s mind when

making a design of a bolted connection.
Patching and Refining Activities
• Substituting looks for other concepts, components, or
features that will work in place of of the current idea.
• Combining aims to make one component replace
multiple components or serve multiple functions.
• Decomposing is the opposite approach from
combining.
• Magnifying involves making some feature of a
component larger relative to adjacent components.
• Minifying involves making some feature of a
component smaller.
• Rearranging involves reconfiguring the components
or their features.
Best Practices for Configuration Design
1. Clarity of function pertains to an unambiguous
relationship between the various functions and the
appropriate inputs and outputs of energy, material,
and information flow
2. Simplicity refers to a design that is not complex and
is easily understood and readily produced. One way
to minimize information content is to reduce the
number and complexity of the components.
3. Safety should be guaranteed by direct design, not
by secondary methods such as guards or warning
labels.
4. Minimal impact on the environment is of growing
importance, and should be listed as a fourth basic
guideline.