Principles of robust design methodology

The literature on robust design has focused chiefly on the development of methods for identifying robust design solutions. In this paper we present a literature review of conflicts and agreements on the principles of robust design. Through this review four central principles of robust design are identified: awareness of variation, insensitivity to noise factors, application of various methods, and application in all stages of a design process. These principles are comprised into the following definition of robust design methodology: Robust design methodology means systematic efforts to achieve insensitivity to noise factors. These efforts are founded on an awareness of variation and can be applied in all stages of product design. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.