Robust design for multiple dynamic quality characteristics using data envelopment analysis

Abstract The Taguchi method is extensively adopted in various industries to continuously improve product design in response to customer requirements. The dynamic system of the Taguchi method is frequently implemented to design products with flexible applications. However, Taguchi's dynamic system can be employed only for individual quality characteristic, and the relationship between the quality characteristic and the signal factor is assumed to be linear. Because of these restrictions, Taguchi's dynamic system is ineffective for multiple quality characteristics or when the quality characteristic has a nonlinear relationship with the signal factor. This study describes a novel procedure for optimizing a dynamic system based on data envelopment analysis. The proposed procedure overcomes the limitations of Taguchi's dynamic system. Two cases are analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure. The results show that the proposed procedure can enhance multiple dynamic quality characteristics. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.