· A product can be divided into functionally oriented operating systems. These are made up of mechanical assemblies, electronic circuits, and computer programs. Mechanical assemblies are built of various components.
· The important form and function aspects of mechanical devices are called features.
· Function and behavior tell what a device does; form describes how it is accomplished.
· Function relates desired behavior.
· One component may play a role in many functions, and a single function may require many different components.
· There are many different types of mechanical design problems: selection, configuration, parametric, original, redesign, routine, and mature.
· Mechanical objects can be described semantically, graphically, analytically, or physically.
· The design process is a continuous constraining of the potential product designs until one final product evolves. This constraining of the design space is made through repeated comparison with the design requirements.
· Mechanical design is the refinement from abstract representations to a final physical artifact.
· The most valuable information is the decisions that are communicated to others.
