**3.4.1 Problem definition**

In management and engineering, a problem can be defined as the difference between the real and the desired situation. In general, the real causes are not known and a careful analysis of the root causes is needed in order to determine the true nature of the problem. Correct and complete understanding of the issue is very important and necessary in every situation, especially in the situation of a collaborative network, in which participants exchange information in synchronous or asynchronous mode. The problem needs to be explained in a textual and/or graphical way and afterwards communicated over the network.

The main steps that must be followed in order to define a problem in the communication network are as follows:


In order to communicate information in network in the best possible manner, it is very effective to use the methods of the "root cause analysis". These methods are as follows: 5Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, failure mode and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, Pareto analysis, inference, TRIZ methodology etc.

In order to perform a correct and complete definition of the problem, it is useful to organize several E-session with that purpose.

The theme of the provided example was, as shown in figure 5, the designing of a boring head. This boring head was required to process at several diameters, as well as to create a chamfer at the end of the hole (that the chamfer tool could cut different dimensions depending on the boring head diameter). The material to be processed had "high" features and the manufacturing series was small.

Modern Methods of Education, Research and Design Used in Mechanical Engineering 607

 Choice of the most suitable model for the desired outcome. The main experimental methods of research are: full factorial Experiment, fractional factorial Experiment, Latin

Are there statistical methods that allow the experimental verification of the model?

To solve this issue, the chosen option was to build a representative model that describes all the manufacturing possibilities of the drilling heads. This model consists of an imaginary body with several steps, which can do several movements and has different adjustment possibilities. It also possesses several active edges, all with different shapes and positions.

Through customization, one can get different boring heads with various functions. The need of the representative tool is not only aimed towards a particular solution, but also towards

After the description of the problem and the choice of the research type that needs to be done are completed, the next step is the planning of research. This is performed by using the project management methodology. The most often used software in this field is Microsoft

Outside of research or optimization, a project can contain various modules for product

In order to make a realistic plan, it is very important to have a network database with complete information about: researchers, laboratories, knowledge in various fields, costs,

Proper implementation of the project must be made in accordance with the timetable of the project. Creativity in design research meetings (fig.7) may be carried out between research team members in a synchronous or asynchronous fashion. Experimental activities, the drawing up of a model and the design and manufacturing activities may be undertaken in one or more locations. The current software enables organising meetings with the participation of specialists located in different geographical areas (Beju &

Software products such as "Teamviewer" and "Teamcenter" enable that all participants of such a remote meeting make the viewing, the modifying and the completion of the drawings. The final version of the model (drawing) can be discussed by all of the participants and accepted by consensus or by vote. In order to develop new solutions, it is necessary to establish a virtual team. The methodology for choosing the team members is

design, design technology, prototype design and/or prototype technology design.

For input data, does the simulation provide the correct output data?

synthesising the knowledge in this area and completing the network database.

**3.4.3 Research planning, use of project management methodology** 

Project. The main stages of the planning process are shown in figure 6.

Square, Taguchi Method;

resources available, etc.

Brindasu 2008).

**3.4.4 The research activity** 

shown below in the pseudocode:

 Conducting experiments and elaboration of the model; Verification of the model. A few questions are typically asked: The model reflects the system target in an acceptable way?

The mostly used method is ANOVA.


Fig. 5. E design – e research platform (problem definition, research planning, presentation of the up to date information)
