Basic Calculations
Calculations involve quantitative assessment of all relevant physical, mechanical, fluid, electrical, chemical, thermal, static, dynamic, aerodynamic, acoustic, optical, hydrological, nuclear, structural, and other properties that allow a machine to be effective for a particular purpose. Scalability is emphasized because a single design should be adaptable to different scales of operation via Intensive and Extensive Scalability. The typical calculations for consideration are:
- Weight
- Cost
- Range of motion
- Expected lifetime
- Basics Statics calculations according to Basic Statics Calculations Procedure
- Expected maintenance cost according to Maintenance Cost Template
- Performance/power/speed/lifetime/lift/etc.
- Precision calculations - what precision of motion is achieved in devices
- Tolerancing requirements
- Weight and center of gravity calculations
- Hydraulic fluid flow and pressure
- CAE analysis for structural failure, fatigue, deformation, crash testing, abrasion, thermal properties, and others
- Basic static loads analysis of mechanical devices
- Rotation speeds
- Bending forces
- Shear strength limits
- Thermal losses
- Geometrical optics
- Torque calculations
- Rotational inertia
- Basic force calculations
- EMF calculations
- Thermal mass calculations
- Combustion calculations
- Embodied energy calculations
- etc.
These calculations should be performed for all critical components of machines, even though the aim is not Value Engineering. In the case over-building of components for purposes of lifetime design, calculations are relevant for providing accurate assessment of safety factors and performance expectations independent of empirical performance data.
A list of desired calculations or data points should be produced for each machine. Note: a spreadsheet or education page should be included to give a crash course on each calculation for the benefit of a novice who has a working knowledge of secondary-level
Protocol
- Use Calculations Template - make a copy of it
- Embed it in a wiki page