Está en la página 1de 1

Environment

Concepts with Tolerance Design Optimization

Model

171

Parameter Design, which is the most important and effective step in Robust Design, focuses on parameter setting selection for design factors. In this step, engineers intend to design a robust product by selecting the optimal parameter settings of the design factors. The goal of robustness is achieved by selecting the best parameter levels rather than using expensive parts or components. The design can be performed by using orthogonal arrays, analysis of variance (ANOVA) [Montgomery (1997)], statistical models, and optimization. The controllable design factors are arranged into a special orthogonal array named Inner Array with appropriate level assignments. The uncontrollable noise factors are assigned to another special orthogonal array called Outer Array to simulate the random variations associated with the design factors, such as those caused by manufacturing variations, deterioration over time, etc. Some user-adjustable factors, such as signal factors, are also assigned to the outer array. For each combination (each row of the inner array) of the levels of the design factors, we can conduct the experiments or simulations under the conditions specified in the outer array and collect data. By performing ANOVA on the design factors, we can find which factor has a significant effect on the variations of system performance or quality characteristics of the product and which factor has an insignificant effect. The significant factors will stay in the statistical model and the insignificant factors will be removed from the model. The best or robust parameters setting of design factors will be selected based on the statistical model and optimization techniques. The parameters setting selected by this procedure can make the performance of the product insensitive to the undesired variations of the parameters of the design factors, such as undesired but uncontrollable manufacturing variations due to mass production. For details, refer to Coleman and Montgomery (1993), Khattree (1996). Tolerance Design, at the expense of increasing cost, is usually used to tighten the tolerances to reduce the variations in product's performances. In this step, designers balance quality and cost to meet or exceed the requirement of the design specification. By integrating environmental factors, we can design tolerances or allowances that can lead to less societal loss. The tolerance design is performed based on quality loss function [Chen and Kapur (1989)], economic effects of upgrading components, and parts or materials. Traditionally, the design is aimed at minimizing the quality loss by selecting the best tolerances setting. Chen and Kapur (1994), Kapur and Cho (1996) give systematic studies on the details of tolerance design. The basic design criterion used in robust design is the minimization of quality loss or the variations in product performance. As advocated by Taguchi, the quality of a product is viewed as the loss imparted by the product to the society from the time the product is shipped. This is a more holistic view point of quality because it relates quality to the loss incurred, not just to the manufacturer at the time of production, but also to the consumer after the product is delivered. The quality activity must focus on reducing this loss. To integrate environmental factors into the paradigmatic robust design, we use a societal loss, which will be defined in

También podría gustarte