Robust Product Design Using Manufacturing Adjustments

Tuning variables represent manufacturing adjustments which are commonly used to correct a product on the factory floor in response to variational noise. Common examples are voltage supply adjustments, adjustable links and screws, and shims. This paper presents methods to determine the increased performance and robustness that can be achieved through including different possible manufacturing adjustments. All possible potential tuning adjustments that exist in a design are identified. Given this, the tuning variable model can be used to calculate the reduced product variation achievable when using any of the potential tuning adjustments, including none at all. This process can be used to help select which variables in a design should be adjusted, based on the increased robustness to noise and the increased difficulty in manufacture. Doing so can allow for more robust product performance at reduced manufacturing expense, by allowing potential adjustment on many different possible variabl..