Integrated design method for probabilistic design

Abstract

This paper presents a rational design approach known as the integrated design method (IDM). By employing cost relationships within a probabilistic methodology, as is done in IDM, engineers have a new tool to objectively assess product cost, performance and reliability. The benefits of the method are: lower product cost; superior product performance; reduced product development time; and reduced product warranty and liability costs. To harness the full potential of IDM requires that users have an easy to use tool that is capable of performing all required analysis quickly, accurately, and with minimal user interaction. ProFORM is computational software, which focuses on integrating all the elements of the probabilistic analysis into a comprehensive package that is easily used and understood. Unlike other packages, ProFORM is integrated with the existing design tools in a seamless fashion. The numerical example at the end of the paper clearly demonstrates the advantages of IDM over the conventional design methods.