Abstract
In this chapter we present different methods used for studying mechanical design, including the process of creating designed artifacts. If we wish to understand fully the manner in which successful products are created and design specifications are converted into information for manufacturing and use, then we need to comprehend better the design process that creates them. While successful engineering products have been designed for centuries, understanding the process of this conversion has only begun. This has been largely motivated by a need to create a more efficient process to decrease time to market, requiring better design tools to assist designers in coping with the increasing informational demands placed upon them. The methods of study naturally involve interactions with designers or design teams, be it through case studies, interviews, or observations. In this chapter we survey different methods currently in use to study this process and provide the context in which each method can be used.
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Waldron, M.B., Waldron, K.J. (1996). Methods of Studying Mechanical Design. In: Waldron, M.B., Waldron, K.J. (eds) Mechanical Design: Theory and Methodology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2561-2_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2561-2_3
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