Programming Optimal Suggestions in the Design Concept Phase: Application to the Boothroyd Assembly Charts

Traditional creativity-enhancement ideas and modern data handling by computing machines can be merged to create programs that make optimal suggestions to the designer. These suggestions are most useful during the design concept phase where a synthesis is attempted. The appropriate structuring of such programs is generally data- or problem-specific. From the study of specific applications general rules may emerge. This article demonstrates that approach with an application to the data contained in charts proposed by Boothroyd as guides to design for assembly.