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As a mechanical engineer what is the first step you take in order to start the process of making a product better than the last one?
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4 answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Good Question
Generally you "build a criteria for success"
"If you cant say it you cant solve it"
This should start with a basic statement of why you would want to improve something."
- improve quality and service life?
- make it higher performance?
- solve some issues that have arisen?
- Make it easier to produce?
- Competitive?
- Use "off the shelf" components?
- safer?
- Easier to use?
- Doesn't scare your pet cat?
OK from some of the reasons to change something you generally have an idea of some of the problems... break them down a little. "Divide and conquer" your problems
Part of the criteria would involve a budget and timeline
WIth some vision … you can now identify "resources" ( generally a team of people, computer stuff, or prototypers or whatnot) and know when and how to manage and use them in the process.
once you think you have defined your goals a little better , set goals and don't get too far away from them
Some times it helps to follow a "ghant chart" or some other "decision matrix"
As your solutions seem reachable you may want to imitate a solution once or so before doing production runs ( "prototype" ) . If you can do it in pieces it may help move things easier.
OK.. test that sucker! Make sure you create testing to make sure it meets your criteria
Now tool up and design the method to efficiently produce... sometimes a statistical process control or "just in time" structure is helpful
Go to management and ask for a raise. !
And that's how its generally done. ( Don't count on the raise)
Richard "Divide and Prosper" Wolf
Generally you "build a criteria for success"
"If you cant say it you cant solve it"
This should start with a basic statement of why you would want to improve something."
- improve quality and service life?
- make it higher performance?
- solve some issues that have arisen?
- Make it easier to produce?
- Competitive?
- Use "off the shelf" components?
- safer?
- Easier to use?
- Doesn't scare your pet cat?
OK from some of the reasons to change something you generally have an idea of some of the problems... break them down a little. "Divide and conquer" your problems
Part of the criteria would involve a budget and timeline
WIth some vision … you can now identify "resources" ( generally a team of people, computer stuff, or prototypers or whatnot) and know when and how to manage and use them in the process.
once you think you have defined your goals a little better , set goals and don't get too far away from them
Some times it helps to follow a "ghant chart" or some other "decision matrix"
As your solutions seem reachable you may want to imitate a solution once or so before doing production runs ( "prototype" ) . If you can do it in pieces it may help move things easier.
OK.. test that sucker! Make sure you create testing to make sure it meets your criteria
Now tool up and design the method to efficiently produce... sometimes a statistical process control or "just in time" structure is helpful
Go to management and ask for a raise. !
And that's how its generally done. ( Don't count on the raise)
Richard "Divide and Prosper" Wolf
Updated
John’s Answer
A lot depends on the product but, basically:
1. Look at the technology used to produce the current model can it be designed to be better, faster, cheaper, stronger...
2. look at the competition and see what they are producing. Are there features that could be added?
3. Customer research. Talk to customers and see what they are looking for in a new device.
1. Look at the technology used to produce the current model can it be designed to be better, faster, cheaper, stronger...
2. look at the competition and see what they are producing. Are there features that could be added?
3. Customer research. Talk to customers and see what they are looking for in a new device.
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Good Question
Generally you "build a criteria for success"
This should start with a basic statement of why you would want to improve something."
- improve quality and service life?
- make it higher performance?
- solve some issues that have arisen?
- Make it easier to produce?
- Competitive?
- Use "off the shelf" components?
OK from some of the reasons to change something you generally have an idea of some of the problems... break them down a little. "Divide and conquer" your problems
Part of the criteria would involve a budget and timeline
once you think you have defined your goals a little better , set goals and don't get too far away from them
Some times it helps to follow a "ghant chart" or some other "decision matrix"
As your solutions seem reachable you may want to imitate a solution once or so before doing production runs ( "prototype" ) . If you can do it in pieces it may help move things easier.
OK.. test that sucker! Make sure you create testing to make sure it meets your criteria
Now tool up and design the method to efficiently produce... sometimes a statistical process control or "just in time" structure is helpful
Go to management and ask for a raise. !
And that's how its generally done. ( Don't count on the raise)
Richard "Divide and Prosper" Wolf
Generally you "build a criteria for success"
This should start with a basic statement of why you would want to improve something."
- improve quality and service life?
- make it higher performance?
- solve some issues that have arisen?
- Make it easier to produce?
- Competitive?
- Use "off the shelf" components?
OK from some of the reasons to change something you generally have an idea of some of the problems... break them down a little. "Divide and conquer" your problems
Part of the criteria would involve a budget and timeline
once you think you have defined your goals a little better , set goals and don't get too far away from them
Some times it helps to follow a "ghant chart" or some other "decision matrix"
As your solutions seem reachable you may want to imitate a solution once or so before doing production runs ( "prototype" ) . If you can do it in pieces it may help move things easier.
OK.. test that sucker! Make sure you create testing to make sure it meets your criteria
Now tool up and design the method to efficiently produce... sometimes a statistical process control or "just in time" structure is helpful
Go to management and ask for a raise. !
And that's how its generally done. ( Don't count on the raise)
Richard "Divide and Prosper" Wolf
Updated
Asif’s Answer
Start with what all the current specifications can do. Research the market to see what others have done and what you find are good specifications. Go from there. Personally I look at the following:
1. Manufacturability - are there ways to improve how the product is made?
2. Cost - Are there aspects of the part that are costly and could be reduced?
3. Efficiency - Is my product inefficient or not able to meet the current market conditions, and what small changes could help that?
4. Time - How long with certain changes take. You may want to only focus on short time redesign, or you want to do a long overhaul of a product.
Read Design and Manufacturing books to find concepts to help generate ideas
Look at the market that's out for your product and what others are doing and ask why
1. Manufacturability - are there ways to improve how the product is made?
2. Cost - Are there aspects of the part that are costly and could be reduced?
3. Efficiency - Is my product inefficient or not able to meet the current market conditions, and what small changes could help that?
4. Time - How long with certain changes take. You may want to only focus on short time redesign, or you want to do a long overhaul of a product.
Asif recommends the following next steps: