Essentials of Design Robustness in Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Methodology 2004-01-0813

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is a systematic process and a disciplined problem prevention approach to achieve business excellence. Robust design is the heart of DFSS. To enable the success of robust parameter design, one should start with good design concept. Axiomatic Design, a fundamental set of principles that determine good design practice, can help to facilitate a project team to accelerate the generation of good design concept. Axiomatic Design holds that uncoupled designs are to be preferred over coupled design. Although uncoupled designs are not always possible, application of axiomatic design principles in DFSS presents an approach to help DFSS team focus on functional requirements to achieve design intents and maximize product reliability. As a result of the application of axiomatic design followed by parameter design, the DFSS team achieved design robustness and reliability. A hydraulic lash adjuster case study will be presented.