A PROCEDURE FOR ROBUST DESIGN - MINIMIZING VARIATIONS CAUSED BY NOISEFACTORS AND CONTROL FACTORS

In this paper, we introduce a small variation to current approaches br oadly called Taguchi Design Methods. In these methods, there are two b road categories of problems associated with simultaneously minimizing performance variations and bringing the mean on target, namely, Type I -minimizing variations in performance caused by variations in noise fa ctors (uncontrollable parameters). Type II-minimizing variations in pe rformance caused by variations in control factors (design variables). In this paper, we introduce a variation to the existing approaches to solve both types of problems. This variation embodies the integration of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with the compromise Decision Support Problem (DSP). Our approach is especially useful for design p roblems where there are no closed-form solutions and system performanc e is computationally expensive to evaluate. The design of a solar powe red irrigation system is used as an example.