Product development by design navigation method

Manufacturers must be able to develop new products within a specified time period. This paper discusses a method for developing high performance produ cts from a limited number of experiments, utilizing the concept of "functio n error". Unlike conventional methods where the sequence of design, prototy ping and experiment must be repeated several times, the proposed method can determine optimal design values directly from experimental data obtained f rom the first prototype. The theoretical basis of the method is presented, then its effectiveness proven by applying it to design an extrusion machine and a CNC lathe.