Updated on July 7, 2025

Engineering system

Engineering (technical) system is a system that has been developed to perform a function.

Overview

Engineering system and technical system are the terms used interchangeably in TRIZ.

The function for which the system is designed is called main function. A system that doesn’t perform any main function cannot exist, but there are many systems performing several main functions.

Defining boundaries of the engineering system is a crucial step in any project. The boundaries are determined by the project goal and project constraints. They depend on what is necessary and possible to change and stay within the project budget and other specifics. Everything beyond the boundaries, including the environmental surrounding, is called a supersystem.

Defining the system boundaries of the system is important because:
  • main function of the system can only be identified once the boundaries are defined – as the boundaries change, the main function may also change, along with the target component;
  • it determines which components belong to the system and which of them belong to its supersystem;
  • the function rank depends on the main function – since the boundaries of the engineering system are determined by the project goal and project constraints, they may depend on what part of the device is within the scope of the project (what is allowed to redesign, what changes are covered by the project budget, etc.).

Technical systems can also include subsystems or components created by nature, both organic (plants, animals, or humans) and inorganic (minerals, water, etc.).

Types of engineering systems

In general, two types od engineering system are considered in TRIZ:

  1. devices, and
  2. processes.

Device as an engineering system

By the device, we understand a system with a certain set of components that remains unchanged in time. Their parameters can change, but no components appear, disappear, or merge into one. The device can be machinery, apparatus, equipment, etc.

Examples of engineering systems that are devices can be the following:

  • a car,
  • a computer,
  • a table,
  • a book,
  • an air conditioner, etc.

Process as an engineering system

Technological process is a process that uses material objects, such as raw material, labour, energy, and machinery, to create finished products.

By the process, we understand a system, in which the set of components changes as the time goes. Some of them appear, while others disappear from the system. To model such a system, the axis of time has to be introduced:

Examples of engineering systems that can be considered processes are the following:

  • a conveyor system (to assembling products),
  • process of polymerization,
  • a combustion chamber (for burning fuel to produce heat and energy),
  • converting sugars into alcohol or acids in a fermenter,
  • a concrete mixer, etc.
CONTENTS

Powered By EazyDocs