Application of Group Technology to Design Optimization of Machine Structural Systems

Abstract

This paper proposes a design optimization method using the concept of group technology in order to reduce production cost of products. The design optimization procedures consisting of three phases, simplification, optimization, and realization, enable design optimization using group technology to be conducted effectively. With this method, identical or similar machine parts are used as often as possible in a product or series of products varying in functional requirements, within an allowable degree of degradation of performance. The method is demonstrated on structural models of manipulators and their machine elements.