The Relationship between Axiomatic Design and Tolerance Design

In this article the mathematical relationship between tolerance design and axiomatic design is established through cost models and axiomatic design principles. Nonlinear optimization methods are used to find the optimum settings of design parameters tolerances. The cost models are served as objective functions that address the tolerance control cost and the variation reduction cost for satisfying the functional requirements. The constraints in the optimization formulation address the requirements for independence, variation control, and design simplicity. The linkage between robust design method and axiomatic design principles is discussed.