Discuss how the engineering design process works for a mechanical Essay

Discuss how the engineering design process works for a mechanical component (in this case a lifting device) in an industrial set - Essay Example The process steps in some instances appear sequential, although, in some cases with light of changing design models the steps may be reverse or parallel to one another. Every design situation has unique set of demands and criteria, thus, choosing a design process will be dependent on the specific needs of the project (Lumsdaine et al 1999). The design process would normally entail an entire business or enterprise from product idea to the maintenance of the product, and all the stages that are in between. An engineering designs, thus characterizes the aspect of both the process and the product. The process being the series of continuous actions ending in a precise result and the product being the thing produced as an end result of the process. Graphics would normally be employed to help in visualization of possible solutions and for documentation of the design for purposes of communication (Ertas & Jones, 1996). In an open-ended design setting, engineers would use their math and scien ce knowledge to investigate all options that are possible and do a comparison of many ideas of design. In this case, at the starting point of problem-solving, the engineer or designer does not know precisely the solution to meet the requirements. The designer employs prototypes or early versions of the design and selects the best fit that best uses the resources available and best meets the requirements (Ertas & Jones, 1996). Lifting devices are essential in industrial jobs that require specialized equipment. There are numerous types of lifting equipment used industrially that are available in the market today. Their use is commonly in major hazards sites to remove or install large plant items. (Kemp, 2008)These kinds of lifts require large lifting equipment such as mobile and tower cranes. Plant operations involving lifting of the lifting of mobile equipment and spares for purposes of maintenance, drums of chemicals, will make use of equipment such as travelling cranes, lifting tru cks, lifting chains and hoists. Trained plant operators are the ones who normally carry out these smaller routine lifts while specialists undertake the larger lifts (Bulala, 1998). Without lifting devices, operations in industries would be impossible. Industries such as mining, transport, construction, gas and oil, and steel rely on lifting equipment to move heavy items. Lifting devices are critical in carrying out activities of transportation of weighty materials from one place to another. It is, therefore, important to design equipment that will provide these essential services and ensure the smooth running of activities in industries. While coming up with the design of the equipment, the designing engineer and their design team factor in mind the general principles regarding use of the equipment, the major hazards related to the use of the device, and the code of practice relating to lifting procedures (Kemp, 2008). In this essay, we are going to look at an engineering design pro cess that would work for a lifting device. The engineering design process The steps that would be essential in the design process would begin from first recognizing the problem or need, the user/ users, and the insight, or the importance of solving the problem. The design process leads to asking the question of whether customers have need for the product. There is evidently need for lifting devices such as cranes in