Juan M. Jauregui-Becker

Reducing design complexity of multidisciplinary domain integrated products: a case study

Multidisciplinary product development is well known for the complexity of its design process. It is commonly addressed by domain integration and a modular design approach. The former, often resulting in smaller products and integrated functions, is characterized by a complex non-linear design process. The latter, which may not result in such integrated functions, has a simpler —usually linear— design process, resulting in novel solutions. This paper presents a method for reducing design complexity of Multidisciplinary Domain Integrated Products by decomposing the problem into modular structures. Computational synthesis techniques are used to solve the resulting modules. Printed Circuit Board design is used as case study, as it is well known for its complexity and highly integrated product functionalities.

Evaluating a computational support tool for set-based configuration of production systems: Results from an industrial case

This paper describes research conducted in the context of an industrial case dealing with the design of re configurable cellular manufacturing systems. Reconfiguring such systems represents a complex task due to the interdependences between the constituent subsystems. A novel computational tool was developed to support the production engineers in (sub) system configuration by enabling to consider multiple alternative configurations simultaneously. The tool was tested by applying it in two realistic system engineering problems and conducting interviews to evaluate its effects. The prototype was found to be an effective and efficient approach to support exploring evaluating and selecting sets of system configurations. The findings suggest that the approach is applicable in practice and represents a means to strategically leverage the flexibility in production system design as well as to improve the efficiency of the engineering process. Hence further research could examine if the approach is useful in additional systems engineering domains.

A decade of teaching systems engineering to Bachelor students

The paper treats a setup for introducing systems engineering to undergraduate (Bachelor) students. The teaching module challenges students, and provides them with ample opportunity to employ the systems engineering process, tools and thinking. Through reflection, the students make the learning outcomes explicit. Based on the setup we recommend to teach a technically challenging subject adjacent to the systems engineering course. By having the students work in large groups on a challenging, open and vague problem statement, they learn to appreciate the systems engineering way of working.