Documentation in Engineering

Biotechnical EngineeringBiotechnical Engineering

Ms. VoitMs. Voit

How do people chronicle their vacation?

Some ideas…

PicturesPictures VideoVideo Spending logSpending log Scrap bookScrap book JournalJournal

Documentation in Engineering

Critical role…Critical role…

*from first inception *from first inception of idea to developmentof idea to development

Record events…Record events…

*original idea*original idea

*able to be developed*able to be developed

*$$$…patent*$$$…patent

Task

How do engineers document their work throughout the development of a product?

Shows design details Size requirements.

Initialed and dated.

Title

Engineering Sketch

Sketches: Purpose Convey ideasConvey ideas Use sketches to brainstorm and share ideasUse sketches to brainstorm and share ideas Document measurements from the field Document measurements from the field

before they are produced as solid models on before they are produced as solid models on the computer. (Material specifications, etc.)the computer. (Material specifications, etc.)

Including Thumbnail Sketches: rough Including Thumbnail Sketches: rough design without scale, etc.design without scale, etc.

How to come up with ideas?

Explore all possible sources for ideasExplore all possible sources for ideas Existing ProductsExisting Products Earlier PatentsEarlier Patents Design and Trade JournalsDesign and Trade Journals MuseumsMuseums Trade ExhibitionsTrade Exhibitions Hardware StoresHardware Stores World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

Other Supporting Documents

Provide crucial background information.Provide crucial background information. Include goals/objectives of projectInclude goals/objectives of project Be aware of audience (Patent Officer)Be aware of audience (Patent Officer)

Address needs relating to project designAddress needs relating to project design

Other Supporting Documents

Clarify a complex part of the design.Clarify a complex part of the design. Add further explanations for sections of the Add further explanations for sections of the

design that are difficult to describe with simple design that are difficult to describe with simple annotations.annotations.

Use verbal and pictorial representationsUse verbal and pictorial representations

Other Supporting Documents

Include referencesInclude references Give citations for articles, books, web sites, Give citations for articles, books, web sites,

interviews, and all other sources you used to interviews, and all other sources you used to gather information.gather information.

APA styleAPA style Be aware of plagiarism issuesBe aware of plagiarism issues

Engineering Notebook

Table of contentsTable of contents Title of projectTitle of project Team member namesTeam member names DateDate Project notes and researchProject notes and research Drawings (sketching through final drawing)Drawings (sketching through final drawing) Charts/graphsCharts/graphs PhotographsPhotographs Post-project reflectionPost-project reflection