Strategic management of the integrated design of product and production system

Abstract

A process for designing a new final product and the related manufacturing system is really complex and time-consuming owing to its combinatorial nature. This paper outlines a general design methodology based on a decomposition of the design problem according to the following main line: a design has to be developed, by using models of greater and greater detail (progressive innovation). The paper will outline a new iterative design approach, based on an “innovation loop” which progressively impoves the design results.