A Methodology for Mechatronic Products Design Applied to the Development of a Instrument for Soil Compaction Measurement

Checking the compression state is a fundamental part considering the development and growth of planting productivity. The most practical method to achieve the goal is to determine the penetration resistance by means of using an impact penetrometer. The measure held is considered indirect, because the data obtained during measurement are taken to an equation in order to determine the degree of compression. This can cause uncertainty, also can turns up to be inaccurate when considering the data obtained. The most significant advances presented are bibliographic referents contribution to future research. Which highlight that the development already performed do not reach full form the needs present in the penetrometer. Despite the great diversity of goals and methodologies employed, a necessity and common motivation in these studies, it is the determination of compaction degree, and the contribution from these information to decision-making. Thus, the measurement of soil compaction becomes a long process. In this way, we can affirm that we must develop a compression-measuring instrument based on the principle of penetrometer, conducting a series of activities that allow the generation of the technical specifications of a Mechatronic Product. The activities that will rise to the project specifications are: to identify customer needs, analyses the needs relating to the new product; identification of product quality metrics; analyze manufacture and competing products; define product specifications. The QFD “House of quality” is suggested in order to assist product specifications definition. In this context, there are criteria to be adopted in decision-making process. However, the project success is reflected in the technical specifications. With this article we aim to fill the gaps relied on the knowledge that only experience at the time of developing a mechatronic product design. The article aims to clarify and detail the project specifications that are used as source of information and which allows to make a success in the development of a new instrument for measuring the compression of soil. The main contribution of this article is the model, method and techniques presentation for the development of technical specifications to Mechatronic product design applied to a measuring instrument of soil compaction.