How can you design mechanical engineering projects with the end user in mind?

1) Define the problem. What are the main goal of this project 2) Conduct research. Why should user choose this product. 3) Create solutions. Work to find different solutions. 4) Choose the best idea. 5) Implement the plan. Simple is PDCA cycle.

En el dise?o como en cualquier servicio que proveamos es importante la escucha activa y empatía ponernos en el lugar del usuario para dar las mejores soluciones que se adapten a lo que el cliente necesita.

To understand the problem, specially in terms of mechanical products, you should first understand the habitat, i.e, where the product will be used. See the dimensions of the room, temperature, humidity, environmental conditions etc everything. Now, empathise with each and every thing that you can, the floor, worker, trolley, wheels, machines etc. This will give you are deeper understanding of the problem. Write role plays and narrate a day in the life of the person and the product currently being used. Analyse all of this to get a table of the requirements at a high level. Convert those high level requirements to low level technical requirements. For eg, enough force to let a person sit -> Should endure weight of 90kg -> Tensile strength.

Often in the real world, there can be many "end users" with competing needs! Therefore, there may be a need to have multiple solutions which are each optimized to address these different needs. I find using the journalist's basic questions a good way to begin the investigational phase: who?, what?, when?, where? why? and how?. You are likely to get different answers the more end users you ask! Ranking their needs can be a difficult but necessary task....

Understand the dimensions of the problem like the material, shape and functional characteristics. Then understand the economics and post this understand the regulatory aspects for its usage.

La generación de ideas parte de una investigación profunda de las posibles soluciones, entender bien el fenómeno o necesidad, para establecer las opciones de solución pertinentes.

Do not do the stupidity of just generating any idea that comes to your mind. Once you have written all the low level requirements, brainstorm for each requirement separately. Use trigger word techniques, biomimicry, draw analogy to other mechanisms. Sit in a team and brainstorm, not alone. Now we can also use GenAI for suggestions. For each requirement, select top 3 ideas. Make a matrix of Requirement vs Idea. DO combinations of requirements and solution and make concepts. Evaluate those concepts against your constraints and requirements. Rate the requirements as per the priority and criticality. Its a long process to know which you can DM me.

Once the concepts have been generated, do as many simulations as possible. - Physical simulation - Computational analysis and simulation - Mathematical analysis and simulation. Use apps like solid works, ansys, Matlab for the same, Make small scale prototypes and test them quickly. Now make a table of the achieved results vs the requirements. Rate the concepts in order of the ratio of Result/Desire. The concept giving the best result can be selected. Analyse what can be improved in the concept. Iterate for that particular function again.

Ignoring cost and then manufacturability challenges are the other mistakes to avoid. This can be done by referring to accepted industrial practices and any company specific policies.