Masters Theses

Abstract

"For students and designers that are unfamiliar with the formality of the functional modeling process (terms, structure, etc.), product and system modeling has proven to be a difficult task. This is due to the component-based methodologies that are normally utilized for the conceptual design stage. To assist these novice designers, a visual template tool that links the functional basis with the component taxonomy has been developed and is presented and discussed in this thesis. The tool, called component functional templates, is derived from historic design information that has been stored in the UMR Design Engineering Lab’s Design Repository. This information is analyzed using Principal Components Analysis (PCA), a common statistical data analysis method, which determines the relationship between functions that are included in a template and the actual physical component. The templates can be used as an introductory tool to modeling systems, giving designers multiple examples of the proper form and structure of a functional model, as well as providing instructors with an active learning tool to use in a classroom setting. By describing the needs of the product in terms of function instead of component solutions, the designer is able to expand the creative options that can solve those functional requirements, consequently leading to better final designs"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Grantham Lough, Katie, 1979-

Committee Member(s)

Du, Xiaoping
Dharani, Lokeswarappa R.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 2007

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

  • A review of component functional templates as an engineering design education aid
  • Representing historically based component-function relationships through design templates

Pagination

ix, 52 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2007 Daniel R. Abbott, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Engineering design -- Mathematical modelsPrincipal components analysis

Thesis Number

T 9146

Print OCLC #

173665774

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