Matrix based approach in assessing optimum robust product architectures

DFX 2012: Proceedings of the 23rd Symposium Design For X, Bamberg/Erlangen, Germany 04.-05.10.2012

Year: 2012
Editor: Dieter Krause, Kristin Paetzold, Sandro Wartzack
Author: Osman, Krešimir; Marjanović, Dorian
Series: DfX
Institution: University of Zagreb
Section: Toleranzen und Robust Design
Page(s): 249-261
ISBN: 978-3-941492-51-6

Abstract

This paper proposes a matrix based approach with aim to help mechanical designers tackle the problem of risk emerging in assessing product architecture under the uncertain operating conditions in early design stages. The presented approach combines existing matrix based methods - Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Multiple-Domain Matrix (MDM) methods with the Function-Based Failure Propagation (FBFP) method. The QFD method is an integrated set of tools for recording user requirements, engineering characteristics that satisfy these requirements, and any trade-offs that might be necessary between the engineering characteristics, while the MDM method is applied to model structural arrangements and dependencies between the domains and within themselves. The FBFP method is applied at the functional level providing information of potential failure based on product functions during conceptual design in product subsystems. As a result of the proposed approach, risk analysis of subsystems becomes possible and feedback on structural analysis of product architecture could be provided. To obtain the optimum robust product architectures from available alternative solutions a continuous risk analysis of the system is proposed. The analysis is performed through all stages from initialization through later refinements with several evaluation criteria: complexity, interdependency and process duration. 250The following section presents the background of this research, related work and research motivation. Third section will provide more detailed description of proposed matrix based approach. Fourth section four will provide to evaluate and test validity of the proposed matrix approach. A real case study will be presented here. Conclusions and future research close this paper.

Keywords: unertainty management, risk reduction, matrix based approaches