A Mixed Approach for Robust Design Integrating Taguchi Method in Axiomatic Design

Robust design has become a valid instrument to reach steady behaviour in product performance. The method emerged in the past decades and is currently employed in the industrial field. Also new generation of technicians must bring up in the culture of robustness, when discuss about the solutions they have found to solve an engineering problem. The paper deals with the experience done at the University of Calabria in the course of Engineering Design Method for master degree in Mechanical Engineering, where students are involved in the development of an industrial product. In order to check the validity of a solution the Axiomatic Design approach is adopted. When a solution passes the axiom of independence it has the necessary condition to be further investigated. The axiom of information has some difficulties to be employed in the design phase being results of tests on prototypes not available. Taguchi method can be validly employed to analyze, by means of computer experiments, the behaviour of a virtual prototype and can allow designer to discuss about the future performance of the device in developing phase, since the earlier phase of design. The paper discusses about the integration of both methods and reports a case of study elaborated by students, during this year course