Engineering worksheet
Start with the operating conditions.
Build a shortlist for a supplier discussion. A material family is not a qualified construction.
Enter requirements in order of consequence
Begin with assembly method and service movement, then add electrical priorities and environment. State what is fixed by the product and what can change. For example, distinguish a fixed connector interface from a preferred film brand. The materials overview explains the constituent choices. A candidate that fails a mandatory process or interface requirement should not remain preferred because of an unrelated attractive property.
Material shortlist worksheet
| Decision | Define | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly requirement | Process, profile and rework | Candidate evidence or unanswered question |
| Mechanical duty | Installation and service movement | Representative geometry and test plan |
| Electrical priority | Loss, insulation, power or impedance | Grade and complete-stack model |
| Supply decision | Exact construction and alternatives | Approved substitution process |
Record evidence beside each candidate
For every shortlisted grade, list the source sheet, relevant test conditions, available construction, and open supplier questions. Use ‘unknown’ where evidence is absent. Compare complete constructions at the same functional boundary; do not compare raw film data on one side with assembled-board results on the other. Link the result to your proposed stack drawing so changes in thickness or bonding remain visible.
Convert the shortlist into a next step
Ask the fabricator to confirm proposed constructions and material availability, and identify what a prototype must demonstrate. Assign a decision owner and a closure condition to each open question. If the material change affects electrical geometry, assembly exposure, or qualification, resolve those consequences before releasing layout. Save the final assumptions with the quote brief for later comparison and production transfer.
Before you release the design
- Enter real operating conditions.
- Separate mandatory limits from preferences.
- Attach source revisions to data.
- Keep unknowns visible.
- Choose a prototype decision criterion.
Watch points
- A worksheet cannot determine fatigue life or certify compatibility from a few dropdown selections.
Practical questions
What if no candidate has complete data?
Prioritize the missing facts that could reject a candidate. Request those first and plan testing where supplier data cannot answer the product question.
Can a shortlisted material be quoted?
Yes, as a clearly identified proposal with unresolved requirements. Final release should reference the reviewed construction and accepted assumptions.
Technical references
References support the material or design context. Check the exact grade, part number, document revision and project conditions before release.Updated 27 September 2026 · Technical content policy · Engineering guidance supports project review; the agreed drawing defines the build.