Let’s take a comprehensive look at the engineering design services company processes. Science is all about answering questions through objective analytical investigations of the natural world engineering is the creative application of scientific principles to overcome challenges with practical designs.
Science formulates the answers in the form of tested and proven theories. At the same time, engineering solutions have more definite manifestations, such as structures, machines, tools, manufacturing processes, or complex apparatus systems utilized to achieve specific functions.
Engineering without science is haphazard, but at the same time, science without engineering becomes an entirely academic pursuit without practical applications. The two have differences, but there are also similarities. One of the most notable shared characteristics is their approach to resolving problems. The steps involved in the scientific method apply to the design engineering services process outlined below.
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1. Ask
The process of engineering design services involves identifying and addressing complex problems. Contrary to popular belief, engineers often need to delve deeper into the underlying causes of a challenge rather than simply relying on the project owner’s explanation of the problems. For instance, consider a scenario where an freelance engineer is tasked with providing engineering design services to assist an automaker in reducing pollution from production vehicles. While the issue of the company’s cars emitting greenhouse gas emissions as a byproduct of engine power output may seem evident, the engineer must investigate further to pinpoint the underlying factors contributing to the car’s pollution.
The overarching objective is to reduce pollution, but the problems may be concealed in components such as the internal combustion mechanism, drivetrain design, exhaust system, or aerodynamics. By applying engineering design services, the engineer can develop innovative solutions to address these challenges and achieve the desired outcome.
2D and 3D engineering design experts start every design process by defining the problem. That is where they ask a lot of questions to identify challenges. Some of the issues are pre-determined design requirements and project constraints.
Criteria or design requirements include a set of parameters to be met in the solutions proposed. They are just like rules, so a solution is only considered successful when it complies with them. Constraints set limits on what the engineer can do, such as the amount of money to spend, types of materials to use, and length of time to finish the project. Criteria and constraints guide the company process of the 2D and 3D model engineering design services and will be used as reference points when evaluating multiple design ideas.
2. Research
In the second phase of the process, engineers spend a significant amount of time brainstorming possible solutions. Ideas are poured into the drawing board, sometimes without any clear path to developing all of them. But then again, an engineer doesn’t have to work on every single idea; the important thing is to document viewpoints and opinions annotated with diagrams, sketches, or just some simple notes. Brainstorming is often an informal process a freelance engineer can do individually or with a small group of people involved in the project.
The research phase of an engineering project commences after the brainstorming session. At this stage, engineers employ 2D CAD and 3D design services to reevaluate all the proposed ideas, examining their technical feasibility per the company’s established criteria and constraints. Utilizing 2D CAD design services allows engineers to create detailed technical drawings. In contrast, 3D model design services enable the development of three-dimensional digital models, contributing to a comprehensive design feasibility assessment.
Engineers need to consider historical data and past experiments, as some ideas may have been previously tested without achieving the desired success. By learning from the experiences of other engineers, the team can avoid repeating the same mistakes and optimize the design process. Furthermore, existing solutions to challenges similar to the one at hand should serve as valuable references, informing the development of new and innovative solutions by integrating 2D CAD and 3D design services.
Research involves preliminary materials tests, mathematical models of proposed ideas, and engineering interviews. These help you understand the way scientific principles affect the design process. Engineers must alternate between brainstorming and research to obtain as much information as possible.
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3. Imagine
Once engineers have enough information, they pick one or two technically feasible product design solutions to develop. First, the development happens mostly on paper with rough sketches and diagrams. They use annotation to explain every part of the design component. That shows what it is, what it does, and how it affects the entire system’s functionality.
Engineers want to give the proposed solution more realistic properties. They often turn to three-dimensional models drawn using 3D CAD design & 2D drafting services. Three-dimensional models reveal many things in a design, strong and weak points included. Engineers already know that the design solution can and will work through simulation, and the final aspect is finding out how well it works.
Always Pay Attention to Design Specifications
Defining design specifications comes next, with design requirements and project constraints in mind. As crude as a rough sketch can be, the annotations should clearly define the dimension and material of each component.
Engineers must also consider real-world problems too. Components are subject to various environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, weather, friction, wear and tear from everyday usage, etc. They determine the design properties, material characteristics, and ideal conditions to ensure proper functioning.
The best thing about using a CAD modeling expert is that it can adjust everything to limitless design configurations. Engineers can quickly change components’ materials, shapes, and dimensions and add or remove certain parts based on different design options. On a computer screen, you can see product design ideas comprehensively. In addition, it shows how components interact in an animated motion or simulation. Multiple models are displayed side by side for comparison if necessary. Engineers can decide which idea is most technically possible at the end of this third phase. In addition, 3D product rendering designers can help you visualize a photorealistic version of the product that you’re developing.
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4. Plan
Now the work will be much more focused. There are no more conflicting ideas, and the chosen design has proven to work in simulated scenarios on screen. Design ideas become more clearly defined with all the information and insight gained through the previous stages. Thanks to CAD modeling and animated simulation, solutions to the problem are easier to see and understand. Even those with no engineering background can look at the design idea and discern how or why the idea might work.
It is now time for the idea to get materialized by a prototype design services company. The prototype design translates the visualization of ideas into a physical object built to solve the problem. Creating a prototype can be lengthy, depending on the design’s complexity. Every detail must be accurate, from component material to dimension, assembly to finishes. A prototype should not be a final product. Think of it as an alpha-version, which must be repeatedly tested under different conditions to see how well it performs.
5. Refine
Anybody who builds a product design prototype should not expect an alpha version to work without flaws. After all, the prototype is mostly for demonstration purposes. Before taking the prototype to the real world, engineers usually perform functionality tests to confirm that the product works as intended in ideal conditions. It is like a concept car. The vehicle doesn’t need to be drivable in all conditions and must only function enough to undergo light performance tests.
Engineers collect data from those preliminary tests to check if the product meets the design criteria and complies with the constraints set earlier, even before the project starts. Based on the observations, the product again goes through the CAD modeling stage for refinements. It might take several attempts until a prototype is ready for real-world performance and functionality tests.
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6. Redesign
After some refinements, the prototype is supposed to be ready for real-life application. However, engineers have to make sure it survives usage in less-than-ideal conditions. Computer simulation can indeed imitate how a product works in the real world, but there are many variables or situations that no software can recreate on screen. Human factors such as personal preferences, style of usage (careful, reckless, abusive, tendency to ignore maintenance, etc.), and interactions with various objects are all relevant.
A series of preliminary tests in laboratories or controlled environments should be sufficient to bring the product close to the intended plan. That’s the beta version. Real-world testing may still reveal some design flaws and room for improvement. Very rarely, a product requires a complete redesign. Still, it is not impossible. That can happen once a competitor creates a better, more affordable product with the same function.
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7. Improve
A positive evaluation of the beta-version indicates that the solution is ready for manufacturing, but the engineers’ work is still unfinished. The 2D and 3D engineering design process is never-ending because the ultimate goal is to create the perfect design. The problem is that “perfect design” does not exist. All designs are the product of their criteria and constraints.
Regardless of the product, someone (including other engineers) will find room for improvements simply because everyone has their preferences. When engineers successfully design a low-emission engine, some people don’t like that it doesn’t go as fast as they want. Some drivers will complain about the prices when both features come together in a vehicle. Even if affordability, speed, and environment-friendly merge into one, engineers will always welcome criticisms too. Technologies will develop, and new inventions can make old product designs obsolete unless engineers constantly improve their design ideas.
Do engineers really follow the design process?
Engineering design services provided by freelancers encompass not only the invention of new products and the discovery of scientific facts but also the improvement of societal challenges. Freelance engineering design professionals contribute to the construction of skyscrapers, the development of environmentally friendly buildings, the design of bridges that connect distant islands, the creation of engines capable of supersonic speeds, the construction of spacecraft, and the pursuit of methods to accomplish seemingly impossible feats. However, their involvement extends beyond high-profile, complex projects that capture global attention. Engineers also play a vital role in designing and developing everyday objects such as televisions, radios, toothpaste, toilet paper, coffee makers, cameras, etc.
The steps involved in engineering design services may vary from project to project, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. While it is challenging to determine if all projects that utilize engineering design services adhere to the same sequence of steps, a common starting point is identifying and understanding the problem at hand, followed by a methodical approach to finding a solution.
There is no universally accepted design process, as engineers are professional problem solvers with their own distinct methods and approaches for achieving objectives. As such, they employ their expertise and creativity to adapt the engineering
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How can Cad Crowd assist?
At Cad Crowd, we take pride in partnering with a diverse network of top-tier engineering design freelancers with the expertise and creativity to deliver exceptional results. If you’re seeking innovative and customized solutions for your engineering design needs, don’t hesitate to take the next step in your project’s journey.
Contact us today for a free quote, and let our dedicated freelance engineering design services help bring your vision to life.