Effectiveness of Problem Solving Software in Engineering Conceptual Design

Abstract

The process of generating the most attractive product concepts in engineering design is still one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. There are several tools for supporting this extremely uncontrollable phase of engineering design. Except for the method, the problem-solving software is the very important tool. One of the most useful methods in teaching and learning, i.e. Brief Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (BTIPS), is discussed in other papers [1], [2], [3] and [4]. This paper is devoted to the software supporting the problem solving process. There is still no software suitable for a completely satisfactory automation of the conceptual design process. However there are some software packages that could be the most helpful in supporting the process and would greatly influence the quality of the final product, especially in cases of contradicting constraints. In this paper some results of the research on the use and effectiveness of Invention Machine (IM™) software products are described. Four packages are discussed and compared: the IM v. 2 for Windows, TechOptimizer v. 3.5, TechOptimizer v. 4.0 and Goldfire v. 6.5. Goldfire v. 6.5 evaluation is still in the process and is not completely finished yet. The first three packages were used in teaching several junior, senior and graduate courses at the University of Connecticut (UConn) for many years. The experience with Goldfire v. 6.5 is comparatively limited. In the research described in this paper the content and the teaching effectiveness of the software packages in teaching were studied. Data from student feedback was evaluated, conclusions were derived. On the basis of this - recommendations for the future use of the software are offered. This paper concentrates on some instrumental software qualities that could be used in teaching of solving problems of industrial products conceptual design. The user’s experience and its connection with the effectiveness of the packages used are discussed in the paper. Conclusions are derived at the end.