Abstract
This paper proposes a simultaneous optimization method for both module combination and module attributes of multiple products. Simultaneous design of multiple products, which is called product variety design etc., becomes an important strategy in manufacturing. Toward rationalization of such practice, we configure an optimization method. The optimization method hybridizes a genetic algorithm, a mixed-integer programming method with a branch-and-bound technique, and a constrained nonlinear programming method, i.e., a successive quadratic programming method. In its optimization process, the first optimizes the combinatorial pattern of module commonality and similarity among different products, the second optimizes the directions of similarity on scale-based variety, and the third optimizes the continuous module attributes under the others. Finally it is applied to simultaneous design of multiple airplanes.
