Design Problems

Fostering Practical Application in Engineering Graphics

The design problems section bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. Aspiring engineers and designers will find this section useful for honing their problem-solving skills and applying the principles of engineering graphics to practical scenarios. Through a collection of engaging exercises and challenges, this section encourages students to translate their understanding of concepts into tangible solutions. By grappling with design problems that mirror the complexities of the field, students will not only enhance their technical acumen but also cultivate a mindset that embraces innovation and efficiency—a hallmark of successful engineering practice.

Trepanning Cutter Design

Trepanning Cutter Design
A certain trepanning cutter uses a .25 square tool steel bit to cut a groove into thick polycarbonate sheets. The cutter is guided by a renewable #15 drill bit (screw machine length). Discuss design implications for the cutter geometry. Are there features that have definite minimum or maximum dimensions? Explain, and calculate values for those

Stair Spreader Bar

Stair Spreader Bar
A factory supplies stair stringers with a rise and run of 7 and 12 inches respectively. A spreader bar is being designed to function as part of a lift system for these stringers. To work properly, a small hole must be drilled such that the spreader bar hangs parallel to the stringer in its installed...

Square Pegs in Round Holes

Square Pegs in Round Holes
1) What is the length of one side of a square peg that can be inserted into the hole as shown? 2) What is the diameter of a hole that would exactly fit the square peg as shown? 3) What diameter hole would exactly fit the rectangular peg shown? 4) What is the width of...

Panel Clearance

Panel Clearance
Problem 1 A solid wood panel is to be designed to fit in the space shown. It is mounted on a hinge as shown. The 0.10 clearance (closed) must be maintained. What is the absolute maximum thickness (zero clearance when opening) the door can be? Problem 2 A compression molded phenolic panel is mounted on...

DC8 – Cross Sectional Area

DC8 – Cross Sectional Area
The PDF below is an excerpt from the NASA document: DC-8, Airborne Laboratory Experimenter Handbook. Draw the outer envelope of the fuselage cross-section (it will consist of two arcs). Create a polyline from the circles. NOTE: The distance between the two arc centers is not given on the drawing. You will need to deduce this...

Carton Design

Carton Design
Use the photograph to create a cardboard box. Plot your drawing on heavy card stock. Use a ballpoint pen over matt board to crease the fold lines, and cut the outline with a razor knife. Glue the seam and fold your box to demonstrate the dimensions work. When your design is verified, turn the box...

Tangent Location

Tangent Location
Determine the missing dimension. The circles are tangent as shown.

Scaling a Drawing

Scaling a Drawing
The image below shows a welding lab drawn to scale. Determine the approximate size of the welding tables (as they were drawn).

M40 Glow Plug Engine

M40 Glow Plug Engine
M40 Glow Plug EngineCrankcase Group  Crankcase Connecting Rod Crankshaft Wrist Pin Piston Cylinder Liner Head Gasket Cylinder Head Glow Plug Cover Plate Cover Plate Gasket Fuel System  Carburetor Assembly  Carb Body Assembly  Carb Body Jet Molding Throttle Arm Carb Rotor Carb Hardware Fuel Line Needle Valve Assembly  Valve Body Assembly  Valve Body Overmolding Valve Body...

Parametric Fuel Tank

Parametric Fuel Tank
Scenario A small company manufactures plastic tanks suitable for a variety of purposes including fuel tanks for the hobby remote control (RC) market. In addition to their standard line of fuel tanks, they want to offer fuel tanks in custom configurations. You can see an example of one of their tanks here: Fuel Tank. CUSTOM-FUEL-TANK-SPECIFICATION-SHEETDownload...

Mold Design – Rotational Molding

Mold Design – Rotational Molding
A small manufacturing company want to manufacture small fuel tanks for the hobby remote control (RC) market by a process known as rotational molding. Design a roto-mold for this tank: M40 FUEL TANK to be made from cast aluminum. The mold can be any number of pieces, but the fewer the better. A draft can...

Carnivore 212

Carnivore 212
(in progress Fall 2023) The Carnivore 212 is an near clone of the famous Harbor Freight Predator 212 which is a near clone of the Honda GX160. It is used as a case study for manufacturing engineering technology courses at the University of Memphis. References Predator 212 Manual

Bike Repair Stand

Bike Repair Stand
Design a bike repair stand that can be clamped to a workbench that has a thickness between 1.5 and 2.0 inches. The stand should include a clamp. Design the clamp to be cast aluminum. The clamp mechanism can be toggle or screw variety. The the stand frame should be made of tubular steel. The stand...

Bike Light Housing

Bike Light Housing
Design a plastic housing for the Kitronik rear bike light kit. The battery holder and the PC board should be mounted firmly in place. You may use the screws provided or design a snap-fit retaining feature. Note: The screws included in the zip file require a hole diameter of 2.25 mm. The housing should include...

30 Note Music Box

30 Note Music Box
This 30 note music box can be the basis for a variety of engineering technology projects. 3D and 2D files are available below. There is also a 15 note box that is less expensive. Reverse engineer the box design (more photos) Design processes and tooling for individual components Design a housing for the movement. Be...

Phone Holder

Phone Holder
Design a case that can hold your phone. Provide attachment points for however you use your phone (boom attachment, microphone, lights, handles, etc). Provide a means of assembly and disassembly. Be sure to include a way to access buttons and charging and other cables. 3D print your design and demonstrate that it works the way...

Guitar Pedalboard

Guitar Pedalboard
Guitar pedalboard made of 16 gauge hot-rolled steel sheet and 1 inch square tube. Full-Layout-Not-full-scaleDownload Pedalboard-Full-Scale-on-PaperDownload Pedal-board-10-degree-side-viewDownload

Sandbox Digger

This project is intended to be a group project with multiple groups. Assignment Slides SEATDownload References See: Harbor Freight Digger Manual Note: Reference only. See CPSC for latest version. CPSC Guide to Developing Consumer Product InstructionsDownload
Trepanning Cutter Design

Trepanning Cutter Design

A certain trepanning cutter uses a .25 square tool steel bit to cut a groove into thick polycarbonate...
Stair Spreader Bar

Stair Spreader Bar

A factory supplies stair stringers with a rise and run of 7 and 12 inches respectively. A spreader bar...
Square Pegs in Round Holes

Square Pegs in Round Holes

1) What is the length of one side of a square peg that can be inserted into the hole as shown? ...
Panel Clearance

Panel Clearance

Problem 1 A solid wood panel is to be designed to fit in the space shown. It is mounted on a hinge...
DC8 - Cross Sectional Area

DC8 - Cross Sectional Area

The PDF below is an excerpt from the NASA document: DC-8, Airborne Laboratory Experimenter Handbook....
Carton Design

Carton Design

Use the photograph to create a cardboard box. Plot your drawing on heavy card stock. Use a ballpoint...
Tangent Location

Tangent Location

Determine the missing dimension. The circles are tangent as shown.
Scaling a Drawing

Scaling a Drawing

The image below shows a welding lab drawn to scale. Determine the approximate size of the welding tables...
M40 Glow Plug Engine

M40 Glow Plug Engine

The M40 is a 2-Cycle Glow Plug Engine, with .4 cubic inches of displacement. Unlike conventional...
Crankcase Group

Crankcase Group

The crankcase group forms the heart of a .4 cubic inch glow plug engine, housing essential components...