A study on the mechanisms of change propagation in mechanical design
Journal article, 2021

Design changes and change propagation have been recognized as ubiquitous in the engineering design process. But why are some design changes propagated while others are absorbed? This paper reports on a study to investigate the specific properties of a mechanical design that influence whether a change is either propagated or absorbed. Student participants in the study were asked to complete a well-defined mechanical design task and then to introduce several design changes. Analysis of the recorded design processes reveals new insight into the mechanisms of change propagation in terms of properties of the design. The insights suggest avenues for future research to make designs more tolerant to potential future change and to develop improved methods to predict change propagation.

empirical study

mechanical design

design change

change propagation mechanisms

Author

Arindam Brahma

University of Auckland

David C. Wynn

University of Auckland

Journal of Mechanical Design - Transactions of the ASME

1050-0472 (ISSN)

Vol. 143 12 121401

Subject Categories

Mechanical Engineering

Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Other Mechanical Engineering

Reliability and Maintenance

DOI

10.1115/1.4050927

More information

Latest update

10/23/2023