Background:
Axiomatic design was originally developed by Nam Suh (Honorary D Eng.
WPI, 1986) at MIT about thirty years ago (Suh 1990). It has been shown to
markedly improve designs while shortening the design cycle. The axioms are
clear, simple rules that guide the design process to best possible solution
for the desired functions.
Axiomatic design can be applied to the design of products, processes,
projects, and systems. The design axioms provide the opportunity for teaching
design as a science, in that it is based on some simple underlying
principles.
We have been teaching axiomatic design at WPI since 1990 (MFE520
Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Processes), with some success, one student
reported saving his company $2.4 million before the course was over
(http://www.wpi.edu/News/Wire/June98/attention.html).
Mission:
The mission of the center is to serve industry and our students by
advancing the teaching, knowledge, and understanding of axiomatic design.
Approach:
Axiomatic Design will be advanced by working through and studying
practical applications. The applications will be solicited from industry. To
raise money and increase industry awareness and interest, seminars and
short courses will be held (e.g., http://www.axiomaticdesign.org/). The intent is
that the project work will be funded by industry for MQPs and graduate
research. The applications will supply case studies to enhance the teaching of
axiomatic design. A special approach to teaching has been developed at WPI
(see references below).
References:
Nam P. Suh (1990) The Principles of Design, Oxford.
Educational papers:
•
E. Odom, S. Beyerlein, C. A. Brown, D.Drew, L.Gallup, S.Zimmerman,
J.Olberding, "Role
of Axiomatic Design in Teaching Capstone Courses," Proceedings of the
2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual conference
& Exposition
2005 ASEE, http://www.asee.org/acPapers/2005-1866_Final.pdf.
•
C.A. Brown, "Lessons in Teaching Axiomatic Design to Engineers" SAE
2005 World Congress Detroit April 13 2005, SAE paper SP 1956,
Reliability and
Robust Design in Automotive Engineering 2005-01-1523. http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_CD=2005-01-1523&PROD_TYP=PAPER
•
C.A.Brown, Teaching Axiomatic Design to Engineers: Theory,
Applications, and
Software, Looking Forward: Innovations in Manufacturing Engineering
Education,
CIMEC (CIRP International Manufacturing Education Conference) 2005 and
3rd
SME International Conference on Manufacturing Education, 2005, pp.
41-51