The new ultraminiature KMS tact switch was developed by ITT Cannon Switch Products in Dole, France, specifically for the cellular phone market. This switch must perform at least 300,000 operations with two newtons nominal force and a good tactile feel.

A robust design effort was initiated using Dr. Taguchi's dynamic parameter design approach. An L18 orthogonal array was used to evaluate the control factors with respect to the signal factor (dome travel), the response (actuating force) and the noise factors (process & material variations and number of operational cycles). The numerical experiments were carried out by using computer simulations only.

The Signal-to-Noise ratio increased 48.7 db as a result of this optimization. The analysis and selection of the best system parameters confirmed the process estimates and resulted in a design with dramatically improved mechanical and reliability performance. KMS production sales are estimated at $ 30,000 K in 2001.

A computer simulation was used to optimize an electrical connector product design and associated plastic injection molding process. Dr. Genichi Taguchi's parameter optimization method, in conjunction with finite element computer simulation, was used to eliminate the need to fabricate expensive tooling and molded parts. [Faster, more robust product/Process designs.]

The electrical connector product functions by creating a signal path between a computer chip embedded in a credit card, called a "smart card" , used extensively in Europe, and the machine in which it is mounted, enabling immediate communication with a remotely located computer. In order to function correctly, the electrical connector must be flat and free of dimensional distortion in order to allow reliable insertion of the credit card and proper electrical connection to the embedded computer chip.

Three approaches were studied and compared to determine which provides the best set of product/process design parameter values. Smaller-the-better Z-axis deflection, dynamic Z-axis position, and dynamic "mold dimension" vs. "part dimension" approaches were compared with respect to the resulting part flatness (Z-axis deflection).

著者らは射出成形部品のロバストデザインにおいて新しい品質特性である"波打ち指数(waviness index)"を開発し,最新のシボレー　アヴァランチ(Chevrolet　Avalanche)に適用したので報告する。著者らはAvalancheの生産立ち上げ間近にこのプロジェクトにかかわった。対象部品は"アウタセイルパネル"で,部品の表面品質が劇的に改善されない限りそのプロジェクトの立ち上げを遅らせざるを得ない逼迫した状況にあった。ロバストデザインを適用し,"波打ち指数"のSN比を最適化することにより部品表面の波打ちの大幅な低減に取り組んだ。改善チームは厳しい時間の制約の中で取り組 み,短期間で非常に大きな改善を達成した。