Systematic Approach to Product Design using Axiomatic Design: application to a diesel locomotive

The objective of the work is to develop a systematic approach to design that will allow the designer to choose the best solution, as regards product functionality and reliability, in the early design phases. The advantages offered by the use of a systematic approach to design include a shorter time to market and the related cost savings for product development. Moreover the use of a common and unique design process allows company designers to work much better as a team and to share duties easily. This gives the company more flexibility enabling it to adapt more readily to the needs of an increasingly competitive market. The cycle time is reduced in terms of trial-and-error time and money-consuming design iterations. Such results can be obtained by simultaneously analyzing all the characteristics of the product and considering the influence of new technical solutions on all these characteristics.