ME 362

MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING DESIGN
Part 2.2

Muhammad Ilyas
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Design a better mousetrap
Is the statement adequate or vague?
Research : existing mousetraps don't provide protection
from the deadly Hantavirus carried by mice.

A better mousetrap may be one that is sanitary and does

not expose human beings to the virus.
"Design a mousetrap that allows for the sanitary
disposal of the trapped mouse, minimizing human
exposure to the Hantavirus."
EXAMPLE PROBLEM

A Better Mousetrap:
Certain rodents such as the common mouse are carriers
and transmitters of an often fatal virus, the Hantavirus.
Conventional mousetraps expose people to this virus as
they handle the trap and dispose of the mouse.
Design a mousetrap that allows a person to trap and
dispose of a mouse without being exposed to any
bacterial or viral agents being carried on the mouse.

Seyyed Khandani
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
There is a need of building block (4x6x12 in)
making machine in the country from highly
compacted soil. Your assignment is to design
a block-making machine with the capacity for
producing 600 blocks per day at a capital cost
of less than Rs30,000. Develop a need
analysis, a problem statement and a plan for
the information that will be needed to
complete the design.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM

Under developed countries need building materials.

or
Building materials are needed in underdeveloped countries
due to lack of urbanization. However, the materials must
be cost-effective and made from soil. A block-making
machine will be ideal for this situation.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
 EXAMPLE PROBLEM

Need Analysis:
Total cost should be less than Rs30,000
Must be capable of being constructed with local
recourses.
Should be easily transportable to different locations
Must be powered with human labor (Why?).
Hydraulic components must be avoided (Why?).
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
PROBLEMS AND EXERCISE

Need Analysis:

Things needed (Must)

1. Cost less than Rs30,000
2. Weight less than 60 kg
3. Human powered
4. Made from local resources
5. Easily manufactured
6. Produce 4x6x12 in blocks
7. Produce 600 blocks/day
8. Compressive strength at least 2 MPa
PROBLEMS AND EXERCISE

Need Analysis:

Things needed (Wants)

1. Able to make block 2x6x12 in
2. Easily maintained
3. Easy and Safe operation
4. Should handle different types of soil and cement mixture
PROBLEMS AND EXERCISE
Need Analysis:

Must Wants
1. Cost less than Rs30,000 1. Able to make block 2x6x12 in
2. Weight less than 60 kg 2. Easily maintained
3. Human powered 3. Easy and Safe operation
4. Made from local resources 4. Should handle different types
of soil and cement mixture
5. Easily manufactured
6. Produce 4x6x12 in blocks
7. Produce 600 blocks/day
9. Compressive strength at least
2 MPa
PROBLEMS AND EXERCISE

Problem statement:
The objective of the project is the design and construction of
a prototype block making machine. The blocks are to be
made of soil cement and are 4x6x12 inches. The machine
must be human powered, weigh less than 60kg, cost less
than Rs30,000 to build and capable of producing 600
blocks/day with 5 person crew.
Blocks must have a compressive strength of 2Mpa when
cured. The machine should be constructed from local
recourses. The machine also should be adaptable to a verity
of soil cement mixtures, and to making blocks 2x6x12 in. A
crew of 3 persons should be capable of operating the machine
to produce 600 block per day.
PROBLEMS AND EXERCISE

Information to be gathered:
1. Determination of the processing condition
What pressure must be generated?
Curing temperature and time
Effect of different soil cement mixtures on pressure
2. Mechanism for generating pressure
3. Human factors
Magnitude of force that can be produced by a human
Human fatigue
4. Materials handling
5. Materials for the machine, availability and their properties