A model for concept evaluation in design - an application to mechatronics design of robot grippers

In this paper, an approach for the modelling of the evaluation process in the conceptual design phase is presented. During the design process, the generated candidate solutions are evaluated. The evaluation is achieved by calculating a score that is based on specific criteria that are presented as elements of a vector. Weight factors are applied to highlight the importance of each criterion. The formulation of the evaluation score is based on t-norm and averaging operators with the assumption that the universe of discourse of criteria is [0, 1]. A discussion of the meaning of these operators and a comparative study or them is presented. As an application, the mechatronics design of robot grippers for handling fabrics is analysed. The elements of the mechatronics index are presented in terms of flexibility, intelligence and complexity. This index is formulated using the variety of the t-norms and averaging operators to show the weaks and strengths of each of them. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.