Resumen de Supporting the selection of robust engineering concepts under suppliers related uncertainties
Gideon Avigad, Erella Eisenstadt, Boris Shnits
In this paper, a computational tool to support designers in choosing an engineering concept is proposed. It takes into account aspects of supply chains (with a focus on suppliers’ related uncertainties) already at the conceptual design stage. It is suggested that a decision on an engineering concept would take into account its robustness to such uncertainties. The introduction and examination of such robustness considerations within the conceptual design stage are undertaken by finding a set of variants for each concept under consideration. The robustness of a concept is gained by allowing the selected concept-related solution to the problem to be later changed to another concept-related variant in response to changes associated with supply chains. In the paper, we propose a procedure that allows a search for such variants that may serve as solutions that promote robustness to suppliers’ related uncertainties. Utilising the suggested procedure may support designers in making decisions when considering these uncertainties. We argue that considering elements of supply chains already during the conceptual design space may affect the choice of a concept. An engineering problem is utilised in order to demonstrate the methodology and its applicability to real-life engineering problems.
