Systems…

A system is an arrangement of components to make a whole or work

together.

Subsystems

• A smaller system that is part of a larger more involved system.

• Examples:– Structural system of a bicycle– Electrical system of a lamp– Gear system of a motorized toy

Open and Closed-Loop Systems

• Open-loop system has no way of adjusting to changing conditions. Does not make use of feedback.

– A dryer gets set to a particular time for drying and turns off at the end of that time.

• Closed-loop system are able to adjust to changing conditions. Uses feedback to adjust, which compares the system feedback to the desired goal.

– An advanced dryer has sensors to compare the moisture level of the clothing to the setting and turns the dryer off as needed.

Kinds of Systems

• Engineered– Car

– Radio

– Computer

– Clock

– Plumbing

– Lamp

– Car Exhaust System

• Natural– Nervous

– Digestion

– Respiratory

– Solar

– Water cycle

• Human-MadeSchool GovernmentPostal Service

4 Parts of a System

• INPUT

• PROCESS

• OUTPUT

• FEEDBACK

Input to a Production System

• Information

• Materials/Parts

• Energy

• Time

• Tools/Machines

• People

• Capital

Inputs That Get Processed

• Information-processed to change its form to send, receive, store, or retrieve a message or signal.

• Material-processed to change its size or shape, and physical, chemical, or electrical characteristics.

• Energy-processed to change its form from one to another. – Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Thermal, Light,

Nuclear, Sound

Systems Thinking

• Focuses on the system as a whole by studying the relationships among the parts of the system instead of the individual parts.

Systems Thinking

• Understand the needs of stakeholders• Develop creative solutions• Consider how the system will perform in its life cycle• Consider how the subsystems will affect one another.• Identify tradeoffs – advantages / disadvantages• Managing risks – address what could go wrong• Assessing the impact of the overall system

Manufacturing Process

• Identify the components.– Identify the materials of

the components.

– Identify the information needed to manufacture the system.

– Identify the energy converted in making the system.

Systems Engineering

• Involves the application of systems knowledge and systems thinking. Many have a degree in one kind of engineering and then go on to the graduate level for systems engineering.

• Systems engineers need good communication and leadership skills to coordinate all of the subsystems required to build a larger system such as a passenger airliner.

Some Engineered Systems

• Electrical – Stereo– Computer

• Mechanical – Gumball Machine– Bicycle

• Structural – High Building– Bridge

Types of Outputs in a System

• Expected Desired– Generate electricity

• Expected Undesired – Produce smoke and ash by-

products (pollution)

• Unexpected Desired – Produce heat for a

greenhouse facility with waste energy

• Unexpected Undesired – Cause dead lake from acid

rain

Output

• Identify the outputs in a salt water fish tank.– ED

– EU

– UD

– UU

(PhotoSW)

Systems Produced vs. Used

• Bicycle produced– Inputs

– Process inputs

– Outputs

– Feedback

• Bicycle used– Inputs

– Process inputs

– Outputs

– Feedback

Feedback

• Feedback is the extra effect of an output in a system.

• Can be in the form of Sound, Smell, Images, or Energy

• What sound, smell, images, or energy is given off in a salt water fish tank?

Impacts of a System

• The outputs of a system are the impacts of technological activity

• The new problems and benefits created by solutions to other problems

• What problems have been created from Technology?

• What benefits have been created from Technology?

Trade-off of a System

• Are created by technological choice

• Give and take needed to reach a compromise for a solution.

– Electric motor boat vs. Gas power motor boat

– DSL vs. Dial-Up

– College vs. Trade School

– 3.1 Megapixels vs 5.0 Megapixels

• What trade-offs exist with the comparisons above?

Risks of a System

• The expected undesired outputs– Known damage– Known ill effects

• The unexpected undesired outputs– Unforeseen damage– Unknown ill effects

• What Technology do you know has risks and what are the risks?

Sustainability

• Sustainability means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” - EPA

• “We have a responsibility to sustain - if not enhance - our natural environment and our nation's economy for future generations.” -Steve Johnson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Product Life Cycle and Sustainability

EPA

• Society must be particularly mindful of the long-term threat posed by chemical and biological impacts on the environment.

• Protecting humans and the environment from toxic chemicals has long been central to EPA's mission and is at the heart of many EPA programs that seek to promote the use of cleaner materials and to reduce material waste and chemical contamination.