Design

Researching and Designing

• gathering information
• identifying specific details of the design which must be satisfied
• identifying possible and alternative design solutions
• planning and designing a appropriate structure which includes drawings

Having written a brief, you are now ready to gather information which will help you to produce a successful design. First you will need to decide what information you require. This will be different from project to project and will also depend on the amount of information and knowledge you already have. A useful step will be to use the following chart. Ask the five questions, then read the column headed Gathering Information. This will help you plan the type of information you will need to gather.

Gathering Information
1. What is the practical function of the design? (What must my robot do?)	A design's practical functions can include: movement How will the robot move within its environment? If it were put in a different environment, would it still be able to move within this new space? manipulation How will the robot move or manipulate other objects within its environment? Can a single robot move or manipulate more than one kind of object? energy How is the robot powered? Can it have more than one energy source? intelligence How does the robot "think?" What does it mean to say that a robot "thinks?" sensing How will my robot "know" or figure out what's in its environment? If it were put in a different environment, would it be able to figure out this new environment
2. What part does appearance (shape and form, surface texture, colour, etc.) play in the design's function? What does the robot look like? Is there a reason for it to look as it does?	Shape and form are important to a design's aesthetic qualities, ergonomics, strength, stability, rigidity, safety Surface texture, finish and colour can be appropriate to a design's:aesthetic qualities, mechanical, optical and thermal properties, durability, etc.
3. What materials are suitable for the design?	The properties of a material will determine its suitability for a design. For our work with robotics we have chosen to work with LegoT™. However, there are many different types of materials that can be and are used in the construction of robots. strength, hardness, toughness, density durability and the aesthetic qualities determined by colour, surface texture, pattern, etc. The materials cost and availability are also important factors.
4. What construction methods are appropriate to the design?	Construction techniques fall into the categories of: cutting and shaping fabrication - the assembly of the parts using screws, bolts, glues, solder, etc moulding - by the application of a force on the material casting - using a mould to form the shape of a solidifying material A particular material can only be worked in a limited number of ways. The method of construction therefore will be determined by the chosen material, the availability of manufacturing facilities, the skills of the work force and the production costs.
5. What are the likely social and environmental effects of the design?	The manufacture, use and disposal of any product will have both beneficial and detrimental effects upon people, wildlife and the environment. The designer therefore, has an enormous responsibility to consider very carefully the potential effects of any new design. This will include: health and safety factors, noise, smell, pollution, etc.

Gathering information can involve reading, listening, conducting interviews and observing.

A specification is a detailed description of the problem to be solved. It should 'spell out' exactly what the design must achieve.