Higher-level innovization: A case study from Friction Stir Welding process optimization

The task of finding crucial design interdependencies in the form of mathematical relationships (empirical or otherwise) in an engineering design problem using the Pareto optimal front is referred to as innovization. Past studies on the subject have limited themselves to a single front. In this paper we introduce the higher-level innovization task through an application of a manufacturing process simulation for the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process where commonalities among two different Pareto-optimal fronts are analyzed. Multiple design rules are simultaneously deciphered from each front separately and compared. Important design aspects of the FSW problem are revealed in the process. The overall study aims at showing how some design principles can considerably ease the task of optimizing future enhancements to the design.