Engineering Problem Solving Method Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.

Principles of Manufacturing

Engineering Problem Solving Method

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved

• 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


• 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


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


• 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


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



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


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:


List the types of information or material required to develop a satisfactory conclusion.

Gathering Needed Information


Wooden crates need to be disposed of.More room is needed in the factory.


Using the information and materials from the first two steps , brainstorm possible solutions.

Searching for Creative Solutions


Possible Solutions:• paying to ship the crates back to

Indonesia • burning the crates• throwing the crates away• enlarging the factory• repurposing the crates


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


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


Make a prototype of all the positive designs. This may be a computer simulation or a basic model.

Moving from Ideas to Preliminary Design


The crates could be redesigned, enlarged and the wood could be placed in the car floor.


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


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.


Select the best prototype and prepare the drawings, specifications and cost.

Preparing Reports, Plans, and Specifications

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012 All rights reserved

The solution was then drawn up, and calculations made to redesign the crates.


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


The solution to the problem will be easy once the engineering problem solving method is applied.


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



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


• 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


Engineering Problem Solving MethodProblem Statement:

Think Plan Do Share

Solution A

Solution B

Solution C

Solution D

Matrix File


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


http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~jmconrad/hsed/intr_0in.pdf

http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~jmconrad/hsed/intr_0in.pdf

http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/teps/default_what.is.eps.html

http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/teps/default_what.is.eps.html

“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


Engineering Problem Solving Method Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.

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