PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

MEM531
INTEGRATED PRODUCT DESIGN 1

4.2 SETTING THE FINAL

SPECIFICATIONS

How to set the final specifications?

Finalizing the specifications is difficult because of trade-offs

choosing how such trade-offs will be resolved.
Guidelines on how to set final specifications:
1. Develop technical models of the product
2. Develop a cost model of the product
3. Refine the specifications, making trade-offs
necessary
4. Flow down the specifications as appropriate
5. Reflect on the results and the process

where

Step 1: Develop Technical Models

Of The Product

Step 2: Develop A Cost Model

Of The Product

The goal of this step is to ensure that the product can be produced
at the target cost.
Involves estimation of the purchase price, fabrication cost for each
part and overhead cost.
The process is often facilitated by a purchasing expert and a
production engineer.
May include high and low estimations of each item helps to
determine the range of uncertainty in the estimates.

Step 3: Refine The Specifications, Making

Trade-offs Where Necessary

Step 4: Flow Down The Specifications

As Appropriate
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

METRIC
Attenuation from dropout to handlebar at 10hz
Spring pre-load
Maximum value from the Monster
Minimum descent time on test track
Damping coefficient adjustment range
Maximum travel (26in wheel)
Rake offset
Lateral stiffness at the tip
T otal mass
Lateral stiffness at brake pivots

11 Headset sizes

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Steertube length
Wheel sizes
Maximum tire width
T ime to assemble to frame
Fender compatibility
Instills pride
Unit manufacturing cost
T ime in spray chamber w/o water entry
Cycles in mud chamber w/o contamination
T ime to disassemble/assemble for maintenance
Special tools required for maintenance
UV test duration to degrade rubber parts
Monster cycles to failure
Japan Industrial Standards test
Bending strength (frontal loading)

Units
dB
N
g
s
N-s/m
mm
mm
kN/m
kg
kN/m
in

mm
list
in
s
list
subj
US$
s
k-cy cles
s
list
hours
cy cles
binary
MN

Value
>12
650
<3.4
<11.5
>100
43
38
>75
<1.4
>425
1.000
1.125
150
170
190
210
230
26in
>1.75
<45
Zef al
>4
<80
>3600
>25
<200
hex
>450
>500k
pass
>100

Step 5: Reflect On The Results And The

Process

As usual, the final step is to reflect on the outcomes and the

process through questioning back regarding:

Is the product a winner?

How much uncertainty is there?
Are the specifications best suited to the target market, or could it be
best applied in another market?
Etc.