Topic: Simple Solutions tough to see sometimes

[Magpie]

Simple Solutions
The Difference between FOCUSING on PROBLEMS and FOCUSING on SOLUTIONS

Case # 1 : When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens would not work at zero gravity (ink will not flow down to the writing surface).

Solution # 1 : To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
Solution # 2 : And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.

Case # 2 : One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan 's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty.

Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly Line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty.

Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.

Solution # 1 : Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.

Solution # 2 : But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution.

He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.

Moral
· Always look for simple solutions.
· Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems.
· Always focus on solutions not on problems

Sounds easy doesn't it?
 

 

[rhos1355]

You've heard of the saying too many cooks spoil the broth? Well I've got another one; too many engineers end up re-inventing the wheel.
Explanation; when you've got one or two guys trying to solve a problem, they generally find the cheapest most expedient solution in the shortest time possible. But when you've got 10-20 engineers fiddling and farting with a problem all you get is "preferential engineering".
I know, I work as a draughtsman for a civil engineering consultancy.

[MJL]

You've heard of the saying too many cooks spoil the broth? Well I've got another one; too many engineers end up re-inventing the wheel.
Explanation; when you've got one or two guys trying to solve a problem, they generally find the cheapest most expedient solution in the shortest time possible. But when you've got 10-20 engineers fiddling and farting with a problem all you get is "preferential engineering".
I know, I work as a draughtsman for a civil engineering consultancy.

If you want to find the easiest solution, ask the mechanics that have to fix the darn things. They may not know the theory behind engineering, but they know how things work in real life.

[Steve F]

In my profession, I'm often stuck with having to build some really impossible (read *dumb*) projects that are WAAAAAY too complicated and designed by "designers" that HAVE NO CLUE what goes into making these things that they dream up.  I've often said that these "engineers" need to design something, and then come out to the machine shop and make it too.  Only THEN would they consider what the poor sap that has to build their crap is forced to go through before sending the drawings out to the shop floor.  LOTS of times I just send it back to them all marked up with corections, suggestions and alternate methods before I even start.  Yeah sure, it pisses them off, but I hate wasting my time too.

[Laminar]

In my profession, I'm often stuck with having to build some really impossible (read *dumb*) projects that are WAAAAAY too complicated and designed by "designers" that HAVE NO CLUE what goes into making these things that they dream up.  I've often said that these "engineers" need to design something, and then come out to the machine shop and make it too.  Only THEN would they consider what the poor sap that has to build their crap is forced to go through before sending the drawings out to the shop floor.  LOTS of times I just send it back to them all marked up with corections, suggestions and alternate methods before I even start.  Yeah sure, it pisses them off, but I hate wasting my time too.

That's what I really appreciated about the company I interned for - design engineers are four steps away from the drafter and eight steps away from the manufacturing engineers. That way the design engineer doesn't come up with some fantastically complicated design that uses a bunch of non-standard bits and pieces.

[BobbyR]

Always keep it simple

[tortelvis]

You've heard of the saying too many cooks spoil the broth? Well I've got another one; too many engineers end up re-inventing the wheel.
Explanation; when you've got one or two guys trying to solve a problem, they generally find the cheapest most expedient solution in the shortest time possible. But when you've got 10-20 engineers fiddling and farting with a problem all you get is "preferential engineering".
I know, I work as a draughtsman for a civil engineering consultancy.

If you want to find the easiest solution, ask the mechanics that have to fix the darn things. They may not know the theory behind engineering, but they know how things work in real life.

My stepdad left school at age 8 to help at home after his dad died. He is a functional illiterate and worked 30 years in a cotton mill as a maintenance engineer. Not only did he maintain and repair all of the equipment but made many improvements. He has never worked from a plan in his life; he wouldn't know how. The boss would come to him and explain what they wanted the machines to do. He would think it over for a bit and then get his tools out and make it work as desired. KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.

[rhos1355]

Tortelvis, your stepdad is one of a fast-dying breed. I remember visiting the Guinness Factory in Dublin, and part of the tour was a display of the work the coopers (barrel makers) did in the 1800's and early 1900's. They said that during those times the workmen manufactured hundreds of wooden barrels with nary a measuring tool or straight edge, just a sharp axe and strong steady arms.

[medic09]

I think that sort of intelligence is quite rare, actually; not only a dying breed.

I knew a fellow who ran the hemotology research labs at UBC.  Didn't do the research himself, but had to understand the work and clinical applications and theoretical possibilities well enough to facilitate whatever had to be done there.  Didn't even finish High School.  Started as lab assistant sweeping up and such, and rose to one day run the labs.

[medic09]

I seem to recall Bill telling us how USAF engineers went crazy trying to come up with a threat warning system for the back end of the F4.  Then the Israelis showed them how to mount a $6 dollar rear view mirror available at any auto parts store.  Problem solved.  Funny thing is, I remember seeing those mirrors in the cockpit and thinking, 'looks just like a car part'.  I never realized the simple genius it displayed.

[MJL]

I think part of the problem is that engineers go to school and learn theory rather than practical application.  If they had to make and build what they design, we wouldn't be #$%*ing.

[thrownchain]

I always said, if the guy who designed it had to work on it, it would be alot simpler to do.....

[leaderbean]

And let's not forget the end user.  Anyone involved in the process of designing and manufacturing a product should be VERY focused on how their creation will be used in the real world, by real people.

[bucky katt]

I always said, if the guy who designed it had to work on it, it would be alot simpler to do.....

in BMW motorcycles, to become an engineer/designer you have to have been a mechanic as well, i dont remember the time period now though. beemers ARE really easy to work on.

[kghost]

Heres my story of a simple solution, engineers, and Aircraft.

Several years ago I was in charge of a certification program for an engine Conversion to Cessna 340 Aircraft.

We basically replaced the stock TSIO-520 Continental engines (300hp 285 contineous) with Lycoming TIO-540's (350hp)

Part of the certification process involved a Hot Fuel test.

The FAA wanted the fuel heated to 120 degrees F.

The purpose being to demonstrate compliance with Vapor lock margins.

Meaning they basically wanted to be sure that with elevated fuel temps there was no Vapor lock....as the engines stopping would and is considered bad.

So the Engineers and engineering firm came up with a plan:

They proposed to build a rig at the cost of $1200 to heat the fuel to 120 degrees.

They would then circulate the fuel thru the rig and back to the tank.

When all the fuel was 120 degrees we'd go fly the airplane.

Obviously we did this to one engine only. 

Me....the mechanic..proposed a simpler solution.

Being the middle of a south Texas summer.......

I wrapped the tank (tip tanks on a C340) in two black plastic trash bags.

Then pushed the airplane outside in the sunlight.

45 minutes later.....Fuel temp. was 126 degrees.

Successful test.

Total cost? About .50 cents for the trash bags.