January 12, 1999 Mechanical Design Studio ME185b - Spring 1999

 

 

 

Assignment 2:

Literature Searching and Concurrent Engineering

Due at the beginning of next lab period (Jan. 19 & 20)

 

Assignment Learning Objectives:

∑ Learn how to perform literature searches

∑ Increase awareness about the extent of engineering in everyday items

∑ Learn about concurrent engineering

 

Reading Assignment:

∑ The Ullman section from the ME185 course packet which will be available at Tyco on Friday

 

Assignment Details

∑ Select a partner, and describe to each other the design problems from assignment 1. Select one of the problems as the topic of this assignment.

∑ Make a list of the concurrent issues you would have to consider if you were to develop a solution to this problems. Consider manufacturing, marketing, safety, and environmental issues. Examples may include the type of material used, engineering components such as motors or clutches, and the retail environment of the product.

∑ Perform a literature search about the product and the concurrent issues. Each pair of students should turn in a single report which summarizes what was learned. The report should include a list of the keywords and search strategies used. Other components are:

∑ A search of the patent database for similar products, with a copy of at least one patent.

∑ A search of scientific journals using COMPENDIX or INSPEC. Try to locate the article at the Yale library’s and copy it. If none of the journal articles are at Yale, print out the abstract, and substitute an extra article from the Lexis/Nexis database.

∑ Market information using Lexis/Nexis, Hoovers, or CorpTech

∑ Information about an engineering component using the Thomas Register. While some information is available online, each group should make at least on phone call to the company and include the information learned in the summary.

 

Example Search

Topic: Automatic Drawer Opening Mechanisms

Database: Compendix

Set Search Results Comments

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

001 (robot$ or automation).tw. 10493 Too broad

002 (drawer$ or tray$).tw. 298 Not specific enough

003 1 and 2 14 Some good references

004 materials handling.tw. 171 Found a new keyword

005 2 and 4 0 Too narrow

 

• Of the 10 total ideas, the pair should find reference articles for three of them.

• For the topics selected turn in a summary of what you learned. Include a copy of the references, with the areas of interest highlighted.

• In the complete report there should be at least 1 patent, 1 Internet site, 1 scientific article from Compendix or Inspec, and 1 newspaper or trade journal article from Lexis.

• To get the scientific articles you will have to go the library. Check with Orbis to see if a journal is in Yale's library. If none of the journal articles are at Yale, print out the abstract from Compendix or Inspec, and substitute an extra article from the Lexis database.