Chisholm Institute: Material Selection Report Using Ashby Methodology

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Ashby material selection method, a systematic approach used in engineering design. It begins by describing the families of engineering materials and then details the four key steps of the Ashby methodology: translation, screening, ranking, and assessing shortlisted materials against service history. The report explains the use of Ashby material charts for identifying material properties and selecting materials. The application of the Ashby method is illustrated through the selection of a material for a stiff light beam in bending, including the derivation of the objective function and material index. Furthermore, the report applies the Ashby methodology to a case study involving a bread maker, identifying design requirements (function, constraints, and objectives) for four key components. The report concludes with material recommendations based on the findings, emphasizing the importance of design representation, feature recognition, and the use of appropriate software and algorithms.