Design for cost integrated model for iron and steel products

To reduce the cost of iron steel products in the design stage,Design for Cost(DFC) was integrated into the information systems,then concept and model of integrated design for cost based on life cycle for iron steel products was proposed.In the design process,the stepwise estimation of this model was carried out based on cost estimation.Product cost information was returned to designers,and design deviations were adjusted in time.Therefore,the product was not only satisfied customers' performance requirements but also with good economic benefits.The idea of cost control was embodied through the entire product life cycle.Subsequently,the fundamental solution steps of the model were put forward.Optimization model of formulation design for alloy materials,which was the most important link in the design,was provided and solved by ant colony optimization algorithm.By comparing to empirical data,results indicated that it was effective to reduce cost of alloy and to improve the overall performance.