Complexity in design of technical systems

Abstract

This paper discusses the complexity of technical systems resulted from engineering design. We defined the "overall difficulty" of such a system as consisting of "inborn complication" due to customer needs and external constraints as well as "acquired complexity" associated with uncertainty in satisfying the functional requirements Caused by design decisions. An ideal design should lead to the least difficult technical system by minimizing inborn complication and eliminating acquired complexity. To achieve this design ideality, strategies of using the Axiomatic Design theory and the Design-Centric Complexity theory are introduced to guide the creation and improvement of complex time-independent and time-dependent technical systems. (C) 2009 CIRP.