BimScaler Blog – Mechanical design is the process of creating detailed plans and drawings for mechanical systems or components. It involves using principles of engineering, physics, and materials science to design products that can perform specific functions. There are various types of mechanical design, including product design, machine design, and structural design. This process is essential for ensuring that machines and products function efficiently and safely.
Let’s now explore the mechanical design concept in more detail, covering its types, processes, and the software choices.
Mechanical design is the process of creating, developing, and manufacturing new products and machinery that shape the way we live, work, and do business.
It is the process of designing, building, and operating machines, structures, and engines using scientific, engineering, and mathematical principles. Mechanical design engineers are in charge of creating the initial design sketches for a machine, component, or product, as well as supervising the construction and manufacturing processes.
In mechanical design, software such as CATIA Mechanical Designer is used to create complex designs and improve existing products.
According to Dassault Systemes, a mechanical designer’s main role is to use CAD software to develop 2D and 3D models and plans based on the initial sketches provided by a mechanical engineer. The plans and models developed by the mechanical designer can then be changed and manipulated to accommodate any design changes or suggestions from the engineering team.
There are various design processes. Parametric design is another type of design other than mechanical design. This method uses algorithms to create and manipulate complex shapes and forms.
Visit our recent post, ‘Parametric Design: History, Advantages, and Effect on Architecture‘, to find out more about it.
Mechanical Design Process
In the typical mechanical design process, there are 5 steps involved: problem identification, idea generation, solution selection, prototyping, and testing.
- Defining the problem: The first step in the process is to identify the problem that the designers and engineers want to solve. The issue could be that the gearbox needs to be lighter, or that an electric engine needs to be developed to take advantage of new battery technology.
- Generating ideas: Now, all parties involved must get together to work together and create ideas that can resolve the issue.
- Selecting the best solution: Every suggested solution needs to be carefully considered. Stakeholders must consider any potential production barriers for each concept.
- Prototyping: The next step after identifying a solution is to create prototypes. Their foundation should be the mechanical engineer’s original concept schematic, which the mechanical designer would later enhance.
- Testing: Using specialised mechanical design CAD software, the mechanical designer can test the various prototypes. Prototypes can be subjected to varied stresses and tested in a variety of real-world scenarios. With 3D CAD-generated models, various materials and part combinations can be tested in a virtual environment.
These steps ensure that the final product meets the specifications and functions properly. The mechanical designer is involved in every stage of this process, from the initial concept to the final testing and validation.
Types of Mechanical Design
Adaptive design, development design, and new design are the three primary categories of mechanical design, according to Indeed Blog.
Adaptive design involves modifying existing products to improve performance or functionality. Development design revolves around creating new products based on specific requirements or market demands. While new design focuses on completely innovative concepts and ideas that push the boundaries of traditional mechanical engineering.
Adaptive Design
This type of design involves taking an existing component, piece of machinery, or design element and adapting it to suit new purposes. Engineers modify the basic features of a part or component to make them suitable for a specific application
Development Design
Enhancing the functionality or performance of preexisting designs through element additions or combinations is the main goal of this design style. This can be accomplished through the use of novel manufacturing processes, the incorporation of novel materials into already-existing products, or the modification of a technology or product’s constituent parts.
New Design
With this kind of design, an entirely new product or component is designed from the ground up. Although they are less common than adaptive or development designs, new designs are becoming more common due to advancements in computing and technology.
Tools and Software in Mechanical Design
There are several tools and software that are widely used in mechanical design, some of the most popular are Autodesk Moldflow, AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics NX.
- Autodesk Moldflow: A part of Autodesk’s digital prototyping solution, providing a user-friendly tool for simulating and evaluating design plans, enabling optimization before manufacturing.
- AutoCAD: An automated computer-aided design software developed by Autodesk that can be used for drafting, 2D drafting, and basic 3D design.
- CATIA: A multi-platform software suite for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), PLM and 3D.
- SolidWorks: A solid modelling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program published by Dassault Systèmes.
- Unigraphics NX: A major release from Siemens PLM Software that delivers new and enhanced functionality to improve productivity.
These tools and software help mechanical engineers create detailed 3D models, simulate stress and strain on components, and optimize designs for manufacturing. They also allow for collaboration between different teams and streamline the design process from concept to production.
Now that’s all you need to know about mechanical design.
Digital fabrication is another important concept to understand during the design process. These processes are primarily used in the construction industry. It uses computer-controlled machines to create physical objects from digital models, combining virtual design and construction (VDC) and building information modelling (BIM).
To learn more, see our post, ‘What Is Digital Fabrication in BIM: Definitions and Applications‘.
Conclusion
Mechanical design is the foundation of engineering innovation, propelling advancement and influencing the course of numerous industries. Engineers and designers can achieve countless opportunities by grasping the fundamentals, procedures, and instruments of mechanical design, from creating innovative technologies to resolving challenging engineering problems.
Mechanical design is also included in the BIM (Building Information Modelling) process, which allows for the seamless integration of mechanical systems with other aspects of a building’s design. This integration eventually results in more efficient and sustainable construction projects.
So, are you ready to implement the BIM process for your construction project?
BIMscaler’s consulting and management services will provide you with end-to-end BIM usage for your project, starting with BIM/model management, content management, project start-up, project meetings, and end-user support, including as-built documentation creation.
As a leading Australian provider of BIM services, BIM Scaler assures you of a professional and effective BIM implementation for your building project.
