Preliminary Design within CE Using the MFF

Abstract

The objective of this manuscript is to present a concept of solutions of functional requirements in the concurrent development of a product by means of the descriptive matrix of function and functionality (MFF), based on the generative model and criteria for describing products, functions and functionalities [1]. The MFF model intends to improve the initial, preliminary design process, where only the most basic, sporadic information such as functions and functionalities are presented. Tasks are parallelized and integrated to reduce the time required. A developed MFF model was created as a tool in order to connect functional requirements with existing technical systems that partially or fully resolve functional requirements on the basis of a mathematical model and predetermined conditions, and they therefore do not depend solely on designer’s intuition. Functional solutions within the MFF are based on mutual relations between the function and functionality, representing data definition. The concept of MFF improves the morphological matrix with the criteria and self-control by the preliminary design. The MFF model has been implemented into a prototype web application and confirmed on a concrete product for better and faster design management. It is based on the connection between processes, recognized in the nature, and searching for comparable or fulfilling technical processes at a certain level of knowledge development.