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Traditionally, design was based on the engineer’s experience and artistic inspiration, while design decisions were based on intuition and subjective criteria. However, this produced certain disadvantages:
- The right idea was rarely produced at the right time.
- The result depended on the individual talent and experience.
- The result was confined within the scope of the engineer’s ability.
 To develop our projects within the Engineering, Services and Environment Division, we believe that it is important to establish criteria, methodologies and tools to help manage knowledge and systematise engineering feedback, thus ensuring that they meet market expectations.
Implementing an engineering methodology ensures a final design that complies with certain fundamental rules, aimed at avoiding losses, disadvantages, errors and accidents. These principles are as follows:
- Clarity in the assembly, operation and ergonomics.
- Simplicity in the geometry, equipment and recycling.
- Safety for the user and the environment.
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When designing its products, the Division applies the engineering methodology developed by G.Pahl and W. Beitz in Engineering Design, which is based on the VDI 2222 and VDI 2221 standards. “Engineering Design” is understood as the formation of a new product, whose creation is only complete at the end of the detailed design phase, thus being the system designed fully established and ready to pass to the production phase.
The design process includes all the activities to be performed until a final set of product specifications are obtained, which meet the needs of the market and client. The procedure takes into account social, economic, technological, psychological and anthropological elements, as well as the artistic and aesthetic factors required for customer satisfaction.
The objectives of the engineering methodology in the Engineering, Services and Environment Division are as follows: systematise the process based on the problems created, promote the search for solutions and inventions, and avoid the element of chance in the development of solutions.
The objectives of this engineering methodology in the Engineering, Services and Environment Division are as follows:
- Sistematizar el proceso orientado en la problemática
- Fomentar la búsqueda de soluciones e inventos
- Evitar el azar en el desarrollo de las soluciones
The aforementioned model includes generic activities, which are valid for any product being developed, such as: market analysis, conceptual design, detailed design, manufacture and sale. A detailed flow of activities in the design process is provided below:
The following aspects are considered in each of the design stages: |
The following aspects are considered in each of the design stages:
| Aspect |
Observation |
| Function |
Does it perform the desired function? |
| Principle |
Is the principle effective? |
| Dimension |
In terms of their shape, dimension and materials, do the units meet requirements regarding durability, stability, corrosion, etc? |
| Safety |
Have the relevant factors concerning safety for the environment, operation and maintenance been taken into consideration? |
| Ergonomics |
Has the relationship between the machine and humans been taken into account? |
| Production |
Have the technological and economic aspects been considered? |
| Control |
Have inspection procedures been established? |
| Assembly |
Is the assembly method clear and simple? |
| Transport |
Have transportation requirements been taken into account? |
| Use |
Have the user manuals been created? |
| Maintenance |
Is the maintenance required safe, clear and manageable? |
| Recycling |
Can the components be re-used? |
In the search for solutions, the Engineering, Services and Environment Division uses tools that distinguish, to a large extent, between conventional, intuitive and discursive methods. These methods complement one another and in many cases, it is only when they are combined that a new solution is found.
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Conventional methods are understood as the analysis of the existing documentation, the analysis of natural systems, the analysis of known technical systems and performing tests, among others.
Methods which help the engineer to strengthen their intuition are, for example, discussions with colleagues in their team, Brainstorming and the 635 or Delphi methods.
Discursive methods allow solutions to be found via systematised work methods. These include the systematic analysis of the physical concept of the problem, the search by creating organised diagrams and/or the use of solution tables.
The aforementioned methods are completely integrated into the Engineering, Services and Environment Division R&D&I management system. This system, which is driven by the guidelines established by the MP Industrial Corporation Management, covers the following fundamental elements: Quality, the Environment and Occupational Risks Prevention. All of this is supported by the Corporation’s own economic management system– IMI.
This system therefore ensures compliance with the MP policy, the main objectives of which are customer and employee satisfaction, the promotion of a preventative culture and the continued improvement and promotion of environmental protection.
Til Boehme
Quality Manager
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