engineering problem solving method copyright © texas education agency, 2012. all rights reserved
TRANSCRIPT
Principles of Manufacturing
Engineering Problem Solving Method
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• Think• define the problem to be solved
• Plan• how to solve the problem
• Do• apply the solutions to the problem
• Share• report to the client or boss the findings
Simple Engineering Problem Solving Method
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• A teacher has a set of books for their classes. The teacher needs to be able to easily move the books around the room. Use the simple engineering problem solving method to find a solution for the teacher problem.
Sample Problem
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Thinkbooks need to be contained and moved
Planput them in a boxset on a rolling cartstack them on a shelf
Do choose the best solution
Share suggest that the books be placed on a
rolling cart
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• The solution to some problems may need more information and a longer method. The next slides describe the longer version of the engineering problem solving method.
Complex Problems
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Identifying the problemGathering needed informationSearching for creative solutionsOvercoming obstacles to creative thinkingMoving from ideas to preliminary designEvaluating and selecting a preferred
solutionPreparing reports, plans, and specificationsImplementing the design
Engineering Problem Solving Method
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The group will determine the problem.The boss or client should be questioned to
understand the needs of the problem to be solved.
Identifying the Problem
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The Ford Motor Company in 1920s had a problem with large amounts of shipping crates made out of wood taking up too much space in the plant. It was common knowledge that wood was used for reinforcements in the bodies and floor of cars.
Problem: There are too many crates for the space.
Example:
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List the types of information or material required to develop a satisfactory conclusion.
Gathering Needed Information
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Wooden crates need to be disposed of.More room is needed in the factory.
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Using the information and materials from the first two steps , brainstorm possible solutions.
Searching for Creative Solutions
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Possible Solutions:• paying to ship the crates back to
Indonesia • burning the crates• throwing the crates away• enlarging the factory• repurposing the crates
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Explore every possible solution that is thought of during the brainstorming session. The best solution may be one that is out of the ordinary.
Overcoming Obstacles to Creative Thinking
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Shipping them back would cost too much.Throwing and/or burning the crates would
be too wasteful.There is no room to enlarge the factory. The crates were too small for making the
reinforcements. Could the crates be enlarged so that the wood in them could be used for making the bodies or floor of the cars?
Brainstorming Results
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Make a prototype of all the positive designs. This may be a computer simulation or a basic model.
Moving from Ideas to Preliminary Design
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The crates could be redesigned, enlarged and the wood could be placed in the car floor.
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The prototypes should be judged to select the very best solution (if there is more than one good solution).
Evaluating and Selecting a Preferred Solution
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The best solution was to increase the size of the crates shipped from Indonesia. The crates could then be disassembled and reused, thus solving two problems : what to do with the crates and also decreasing the amount of wood having to be purchased for the cars.
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Select the best prototype and prepare the drawings, specifications and cost.
Preparing Reports, Plans, and Specifications
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The solution was then drawn up, and calculations made to redesign the crates.
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Give the person your findings in drawings and specifications. The boss or client will be able to put the solution to work solving their problem.
Implementing the Design
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The solution to the problem will be easy once the engineering problem solving method is applied.
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Some problems that might arise in a manufacturing setting are:a) flow of materials in a plantb) development of a fixture or holder for
making a productc) materials controld) waste controle) product redesign
Engineering Problem Solving Method
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Use the engineering problem solving basic method and matrix to solve the following problem:
The lab needs to be cleaned at the end of the period. What ideas does the class have to solve the clean up of the lab?
Guided Practice Problem
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• Think• define the problem to be solved
• Plan• how to solve the problem
• Do• apply the solutions to the problem
• Share• report to the client or boss the findings
Engineering Problem Solving Basic Method Matrix
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Engineering Problem Solving MethodProblem Statement:
Think Plan Do Share
Solution A
Solution B
Solution C
Solution D
Matrix File
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Engineering Design/problem solvinghttp://www.coe.uncc.edu/~jmconrad/hsed/intr_0in.pdf What is Engineering Problem Solvinghttp://engineering.dartmouth.edu/teps/default_what.is.eps.html
Resources
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“Problem Solving”“Problem Solving” PowerPoint Lecture From Ohio State University Gateway Engineering Education Coalitionhttp://74.6.238.254/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-
8&p=Engineerg+problem+solving&fr=att-portal&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=Engineerg+problem+solving&d=4559790853391512&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=9c773b89,717e9514&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=907nVijb0KxRt0luaUpvjg--
Resources Continued
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