Hierarchical Product Design Optimization Strategies Incorporating Cost Evaluations

Abstract

This paper proposes a system design optimization strategy and method for finding integrated global optimum design solutions where, in addition to the usual focus on product performances and qualities, various factors pertaining to costs are comprehensively evaluated. To effectively obtain an optimum solution for a product design problem, the features of the characteristics should be carefully examined first, and then the relationships among related characteristics, including cost factors, must be clarified. The features of costs are clearly different than those of the characteristics for product performances and qualities. Hierarchical optimization strategies for the product design are constructed, based on the above examinations. The proposed hierarchical optimization strategy and method is exemplified using a simple product model.