1. ME3101 / ME3102
Mechanical Systems Design
Chapter 8
Elements of a Good Report

2. Elements of a Good Report
A good report have to be:
•Readable
•Clearly organized in a logical
manner
•Sequential
•Formal

3. Elements of a Good Report
A general outline for contents should
include the following:
•Title Page
•Table of Contents
•Introduction
•Outline of design requirements
•Objectives
•Identification of constraints/Considerations
•Proposed designs
•Final selected design
•Possible improvements?
•Conclusion

4. Outline of Design Requirements
The outline of design requirements should
accomplish:
•The performance standards required of the
new product
•Or the problems related with the existing
product that requires improvement
•Rough outline of its physical dimensions
and applications

5. Outline of Design Requirements
The objectives of the project should be:
•Specific
•Measurable
•Attainable
•Realistic
•Timely
For example:
•The product will be able to accelerate to a speed of 10m/s within 1m
•The product is designed to withstand stresses up to 50MPa
•The product will be easily assembled/dissembled

6. Identification of Constraints/Considerations
Other than technical specifications, take
into consideration the following:
•Ergonomics
•Aesthetics
•Cost limitations?
•Environment of product application
•Lifespan of product/Reliability
•End user ability to operate

7. Proposed Designs
Include the variations of designs you have come up with, to illustrate your
team’s design process.
Making comparisons between the different designs, explain on how you
have arrived at your final design and why is it best for its application?

8. Final Design
The final product design should be well described in the report,
containing details such as:
•Mechanical Properties
•Thermal Properties
•Electrical Properties
•Costs
•Raw Materials Required
•Etc.

9. Final Design
Also, include a detailed
drawing of the product
from different views
within the report.
This is meant to help you
communicate your
product design to the
reader.

10. Citations
A formal mode of citation is required if
information is obtained from 3rd party
sources.
For example:
…arcing is caused by the electrical breakdown
of the air when its dielectric strength is
exceeded (breakdown voltage of air is
26kV/cm at 1 atm) [25].
Under References..
[25] M. A. Laughton & D. F.Warne (2003),
Electrical engineer's reference book, Newnes,
Chap. 7.3

11. Citations
Another example..
[3] Jones, J., 2000, Contact Mechanics,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
UK, Chap. 6.