Usability Testing & Analysis of Advanced Multimodal Watchstation Functions

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (37) ◽  
pp. 654-657
Author(s):  
David Kellmeyer ◽  
Glenn A. Osga
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Usability Testing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
User Feedback ◽  
Individual Basis ◽  
Resource Investment ◽  
Testing Techniques ◽  
Design And Testing ◽  
Prototype Design

Usability testing is a well known method for obtaining user feedback during the design process, Dumas & Redish (1993), Gomoll (1996), Halgren & Smilowitz (1997), Treu (1994). Testing has been a continuous aspect of the Multimodal Watchstation (MMWS) conceptual design process with different usability testing techniques having been used through various portions of the design. Early cognitive walkthrough evaluation helped to focus design efforts toward complex or contusing portions of the interface. Lo-fidelity prototype design and testing then focused on improving these portions on an individual basis. Once satisfied, hi-fidelity prototype testing was used to determine how time and interaction workload affected performance. This paper presents the various usability techniques used throughout the design process, with some key results from each technique, including a discussion of project resource investment for various design prototypes. Results indicate that utilizing various usability testing techniques provides both time and cost effective answers throughout all stages of conceptual design.

Improving the Conceptual Design Process for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Laun
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Ocean Engineering ◽  
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Marine Engineering

With a renewed global focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the United States Navy will increasingly rely on unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) technology to serve as a cost-effective force multiplier. Modern UUV development necessitates a uniquely constrained, iterative approach to the traditional submarine design spiral. Considering a broad spectrum of customer-generated requirements, the UUV conceptual design process applies the best practices of naval architecture, marine engineering, ocean engineering, systems engineering, and submersible design. This paper provides an assessment of the traditional approach to the UUV design and development process. Specifically, this paper analyzes the design philosophy for modern UUVs, provides a design framework for the UUV conceptual design process, and details specific recommendations to encourage innovation in the subsea realm.

scholarly journals Conceptual Design of Electromechanical Actuation Systems for Large-Sized Directional Control Valves

Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Tobias Vonderbank ◽  
Katharina Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Function Structure ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Conceptual Designs ◽  
Actuation Systems ◽  
Electromechanical Actuation ◽  
Function Structures ◽  
Valve Actuation

Increasing performance in modern hydraulics is achieved by a close investigation of possible enhancements of its components. Prior research has pointed out that electromechanical actuators can form suitable alternatives to hydraulically piloted control systems. Since the requirements at these actuation systems depend on the operating conditions of the system, each actuator can be optimized to the respective hydraulic system. Considering that many different conceptual designs are suitable, the phase of conceptual design plays a decisive role during the design process. Therefore, this paper focuses on the process of developing new conceptual designs for electromechanical valve actuation systems using the method of function structures. Aiming to identify special design features, which need to be considered during the design process of electromechanical actuation systems, an exemplary actuator was designed based on the derived function structure. To highlight the potential of function structures for the development of new electromechanical valve actuation systems, two principal concepts, which allow the reduction of the necessary forces, have been developed by extending the function structure. These concepts have been experimentally investigated to identify their advantages and disadvantages.

scholarly journals Explicating concepts in reasoning from function to form by two-step innovative abductions

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Kroll ◽  
Lauri Koskela
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Abductive Reasoning ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Functional Aspect ◽  
Specific Design ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Design Reasoning

AbstractThe mechanism of design reasoning from function to form is suggested to consist of a two-step inference of the innovative abduction type. First is an inference from a desired functional aspect to an idea, concept, or solution principle to satisfy the function. This is followed by a second innovative abduction, from the latest concept to form, structure, or mechanism. The intermediate entity in the logical reasoning, the concept, is thus made explicit, which is significant in following and understanding a specific design process, for educating designers, and to build a logic-based computational model of design. The idea of a two-step abductive reasoning process is developed from the critical examination of several propositions made by others. We use the notion of innovative abduction in design, as opposed to such abduction where the question is about selecting among known alternatives, and we adopt a previously proposed two-step process of abductive reasoning. However, our model is different in that the two abductions used follow the syllogistic pattern of innovative abduction. In addition to using a schematic example from the literature to demonstrate our derivation, we apply the model to an existing, empirically derived method of conceptual design called “parameter analysis” and use two examples of real design processes. The two synthetic steps of the method are shown to follow the proposed double innovative abduction scheme, and the design processes are presented as sequences of double abductions from function to concept and from concept to form, with a subsequent deductive evaluation step.

A model of the mechanical design process based on empirical data

1988 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Ullman ◽  
Thomas G. Dietterich ◽  
Larry A. Stauffer
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Cad Tools ◽  
Design Alternatives ◽  
Key Features

This paper describes the task/episode accumulation model (TEA model) of non-routine mechanical design, which was developed after detailed analysis of the audio and video protocols of five mechanical designers. The model is able to explain the behavior of designers at a much finer level of detail than previous models. The key features of the model are (a) the design is constructed by incrementally refining and patching an initial conceptual design, (b) design alternatives are not considered outside the boundaries of design episodes (which are short stretches of problem solving aimed at specific goals), (c) the design process is controlled locally, primarily at the level of individual episodes. Among the implications of the model are the following: (a) CAD tools should be extended to represent the state of the design at more abstract levels, (b) CAD tools should help the designer manage constraints, and (c) CAD tools should be designed to give cognitive support to the designer.

An Advisory Conceptual Design Tool for Mechanical Transmission Systems

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Huang ◽  
F. W. Liou ◽  
J. J. Malyamakkil ◽  
W. F. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Expert System ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Mechanical Transmission ◽  
Transmission Systems ◽  
Knowledge Based System ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Packaging Machine

Abstract This paper presents an advisory conceptual design tool for mechanical transmission systems. Space consideration was taken into account during the design process. A prototype function tree was built in the form of knowledge-based system to transfer a designer’s idea into a set of mechanical components. An advisory expert system was also developed to help a designer in decision making. As an example, a packaging machine is designed using the developed system.

A Study of the Information Handling Behavior of Designers During Conceptual Design

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Baya ◽  
Larry J. Leifer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Verbal Protocol ◽  
Amount Of Information ◽  
Information Handling ◽  
Tools And Methods

Abstract The research reported in this paper examines the design process from an informational perspective. The study is based on the premise that there is a need to understand and formalize the information generating, accessing and analyzing behavior of designers in order to build tools and methods which can be smoothly integrated with their technical and social work environment. Results from an experimental study, conducted using the verbal protocol method, are discussed. A measure for the amount of information designers handle has been explored. A framework for analyzing the information handling behavior of designers is also presented.

A Web-Based Process/Material Advisory System

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusheng Chen ◽  
Satyandra K. Gupta ◽  
Shaw Feng
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Material Combination ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Advisory System ◽  
Conceptual Design Stage ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Parameter Ranges ◽  
Process Material

Abstract This paper describes a web-based process/material advisory system that can be used during conceptual design. Given a set of design requirements for a part during conceptual design stage, our system produces process sequences that can meet the design requirements. Quite often during conceptual design stage, design requirements are not precisely defined. Therefore, we allow users to describe design requirements in terms of parameter ranges. Parameter ranges are used to capture uncertainties in design requirements. Our system accounts for uncertainties in design requirements in generating and evaluating process/material combinations. Our system uses a two step algorithm. During the first step, we generate a material/process option tree. This tree represents various process/material options that can be used to meet the given set of design requirements. During the second step, we evaluate various alternative process/material options using a depth first branch and bound algorithm to identify and recommend the least expensive process/material combination to the designer. Our system can be accessed on the World Wide Web using a standard browser. Our system allows designs to consider a wide variety of process/material options during the conceptual design stage and allows them to find the most cost-effective combination. By selecting the process/material combination during the early design stages, designers can ensure that the detailed design is compatible with all of the process constraints for the selected process.

Topology Optimization in the Conceptual Design: Take the Frame of a Bender as Example

2011 ◽  
Vol 267 ◽  
pp. 297-301
Author(s):  
Yong Wang ◽  
Guo Niu Zhu ◽  
Bo Yu Sun
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Structural Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Topology ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Stress And Deformation ◽  
Design Proposal

The paper is concerned with topology optimization in the mechanical design process. The disadvantage of current process of mechanical design is discussed and a new design process based on structural topology optimization is presented. The design process with structural topology optimization in mechanical design is discussed by the example of the frame of a bender. Static analysis is made to the original model first according to the whole structure and working characteristic of the machine, the stress and deformation distribution are obtained and then topology optimization is carried out. On the basis of topology optimization, the layout of the initial design proposal is obtained and the weight of the frame is substantially reduced while the performance enhanced. The application of the method demonstrates that through innovative utilization of the topology optimization techniques, the conceptual proposals can be obtained and the overall mechanical design process can be improved substantially in a cost effective manner.

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