Heuristic-based approach to customer-driven conceptual design

• Main Author: Chong, Yih Tng
• Other Authors: Chen Chun-Hsien
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Manufacturing::Product design
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/5285
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Research has shown that about 80% of a product’s lifecycle cost is determined during the conceptual design phase. Despite its importance, the use of computer-aided design during this phase is uncommon. In the inherently large space of design, it is known that explicating all possible concept variants is astronomically costly, if at all possible. A strategy that can effectively assist designers in exploring and ascertaining solutions within this vast space is therefore necessary. This work adapts a General Best First heuristic algorithm for application on conceptual design problems. The algorithm is tailored to operate on a postulated knowledge organization structure, called Design Space Framework (DSF). Three case studies are presented in this thesis to illustrate the applicability and the logics of the proposed algorithm. The propositions made in this work are shown to advocate customer-oriented design philosophy and supports innovative design among other results. Finally, several promising tracks of future research are identified, based on the foundation of this project.