Page 267 - Design for Six Sigma a Roadmap for Product Development

Chapter
8

Axiomatic Design

8.1 Introduction
The theory and application of DFSS approach as defined in this book
hinges on conceptual methods employed in the I (identify) phase. The
axiomatic design approach, a perspective engineering design method,
is a core method in this category.
Systematic research in engineering design began in Germany dur-
ing the 1850s. More recent contributions in the field of engineering
design include axiomatic design (Suh 1990), product design and devel-
opment (Ulrich and Eppinger 1995), the mechanical design process
(Ullman 1992), and Pugh’s total design (Pugh 1991). These contribu-
tions demonstrate that research in engineering design is an active
field that has spread from Germany to most industrialized nations
around the world. To date, most research in engineering design theory
has focused on design methods. As a result, a number of design methods
are now being taught and practiced in both industry and academia.
However, most of these methods overlooked the need to integrate qual-
ity methods in the concept phase so that only healthy (viable) concepts
are conceived, evaluated, and launched with no or minimal vulnera-
bilities; hence, DFSS.
The current engineering practices exhibit many vulnerabilities lead-
ing to problematic quality issues in the designed entity that urgently
call for the DFSS approach. These vulnerabilities can be categorized
into the following groups:
■ Conceptual vulnerabilities. These lead to lack of robustness at the
conceptual level. This category is established in the designed sys-
tems (products/services/processes) due to violation of design guide-
lines and principles, in particular those promoted to axioms. In

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