Optimization in a Design System for Complex Products
Abstract This paper describes a system for parametric design and optimization of complex products. In the system, the use of knowledge-based and mathematical programming methods is combined. The motivation is that while knowledge-based methods are well suited for modeling products, they are insufficient when dealing with design problems that can be given an optimization formulation. This weakness was approached by including the information necessary for stating an optimization problem in the product models. A system optimization method can then be applied. The system also performs sensitivity analysis and has an interactive optimization module. The use of the system is illustrated by an example; the design and optimization of a two-speed gearbox.