Re: Psub Design Steps

["Paul Suds" <paul_suds@hotmail.com>]

I have to agree somewhat with both Gary and Doug. As a projet manager on oil 
process designs and product development for injection molding companies, 
I've found that both systems advocated work very well. Having a guy like 
Doug on your team ensures that details don't fall through the cracks and 
that the process is well thought out. On the other hand, during conceptual 
design phases, much thought and brainstorming has to go into the process. 
When working on a project for myself, I'm a lot more like Gary. Cost 
considerations limit a ground up approach to design. I've been working on my 
new sub design now for two months. So far, I've redesigned many things in my 
mind many times over. Originally I wanted a stainless steel inner hull. 
After putting my feeler out to scrap dealers and large metalworking 
companies for roll forming, I have decided against the idea, especially when 
I realized that the overall weight of the sub would be too heavy. This was 
based on some preliminary calcs that I performed. After looking at aluminum, 
I decided that a composite of graphite and fiberglass would be the way to 
go. Not only does it benefit my mass/volume criteria, but I can do the work 
myself. I've also looked at propulsion, which I've changed many times since 
I first envisioned my sub. From an engineers standpoint, I look at some 
basic things when I first start a project: 1)What are the major design 
constraints. 2) What level of knowledge do I need in a particular area. 3) 
Where can I get the necessary information to overcome those constraints. 4) 
What are the major cost associated with the project design.  5) How can i 
minimize those costs. 6) Are there existing designs out there that i can 
learn from and can I improve on them. 7) What other design constraints are 
there that would require me to modify other parts of my design. And finally, 
Can I with some degree of certainty, after doing a cursury degree of 
research on each design coinsideration, integrate my design so that the 
final product will work.
Another thing that I've learned over the years is that different people do 
differentt things in differnt ways. Those that are more knowledgable and 
experienced,or are willing to gain that knowledge and experience, and that 
have the desire to succeed will be the most successful. Ooops I'm on my 
lecture soapbox again. Just another perspective that works for me.
Suds


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