# Joint Lab decision record template

**Status: Planned template.** Complete this only after real specimens and source records exist. Preserve the record under a revision ID and date; do not overwrite an earlier decision or describe a proposed design as a tested one.

## Requirement and scope

- Body-panel requirement ID and exact need:
- Required angle range and holding behavior:
- Acceptable breakaway effort, play, and repeatability:
- Space, part-count, assembly, and maintenance limits:
- Candidate revisions and specimen IDs:
- Test protocol revision and departures from it:

## Evidence by criterion

| Criterion | Plain pin | Adjustable friction | Indexed detent | Source trial IDs / uncertainty |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Strength or demonstrated held loads |  |  |  |  |
| Breakaway effort, including direction and preload |  |  |  |  |
| Backlash / play |  |  |  |  |
| Position repeatability |  |  |  |  |
| Wear across available checkpoints |  |  |  |  |
| Part count and assembly burden |  |  |  |  |
| Suitability for the stated body-panel requirement |  |  |  |  |

Keep “not measured” explicit where evidence is absent. A held test load is not a maximum strength rating. Note different materials, print batches, or friction preloads before comparing values. Link raw rows and any wear images or inspection records.

## Decision

- Chosen approach, revision, and requirement it serves:
- Evidence supporting the choice:
- Evidence against the choice, failures, and unresolved questions:
- Tradeoffs accepted and why:
- Next experiment or design revision:
- Reviewer, review date, and source links:

Do not combine the criteria into an arbitrary universal score. A conclusion may remain pending or reject all three candidates.