Robust Design is a practical engineering knowhow of designing products with moving kinematics in a such way to avoid geometrical over-constraints, leading to later problems in achieving manufacturing quality and in achieving the final product reliability. Robust design is a fundamental pilar of a good product architecture (see also C.3.4). Robust design reduces the demand on manufacturing to produce parts with tight tolerance; parts can function as intended with relaxed tolerances. This also implies less stringent requirement for quality control and enables cheaper production. Overall, robust design is an enabler of a good Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (see also A.2.2. and D.2.13). Robust Design is a more effective way to achieve an optimal product through geometrical design practises, in collaboration with a lean and capable production system.
- Objectives/Key learning points
- Understand the key principles of robust design methodology and its practical application
- Define the case (product design example) where the Robust Design principles can be applied and produce quantifiable benefits (lower manufacturing cost, better quality, higher reliability).
- Teaching Methodology
- A short academic introductory course is available (~half a day), followed by a practical teaching of the Robust Design application
- Implementation Methodology
- Implementation of Robust Design starts with the initialisation of an NPD project. A good Product Architecture (see C.3.4) is a starting anchoring point. Further detailed design iterations would require further detailed design of each component, and direct application of the robust design principles.