Hope College Engineering Department Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer 2008 Project Summary

The motivation for this work is the need for a method to depict the functional operation of devices. Current methods include Functional Analysis System Technique, Subtract and Operate Method, and the Black Box Approach. These are directed toward design synthesis not explanation. A general method should be useful to both novice and experienced design engineers. A simplified method, the Component Function Map, was developed. It is based on classic functional modeling, emphasizing the flow of material, energy, and information within the device. The method starts with a physical depiction of the product. Prime transformations are determined. A form and function table is then created to identify the role of component subassemblies. These are assigned known verb-noun forms with the aid of a visual dictionary established for this process. Input and output flows of each component are determined and relative importance is evaluated. The functional elements are arranged according to interaction. In the final stage visual cues or icons are added to the map.

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