Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGDIn product development, manufacturing, and logistics, it is not generally possible to optimize all parameters equally; there is usually a trade-off. However, support is available to decision-makers who need to weigh the various options and, where criteria are potentially in conflict, find the best possible compromise quickly and communicate it effectively—by means of interactive visualization.
It is harder than ever to develop a successful product—expectations are rising in terms of quality, sustainability, energy efficiency, and more. And when faced with a complex, multidimensional challenge of this kind, there is frequently no way to arrive at an ideal solution for every objective. Instead, there are a number of so-called Pareto optimal states: One attribute cannot be improved without negatively impacting one or more of the others. In this situation, visualization software can help—by illustrating the complex interactions between all parameters and attributes of a proposed product. In cooperation with the Linz Center of Mechatronics (LCM), Fraunhofer IGD has created PAVED (Pareto Front Visualization for Engineering Design). This interactive tool effectively visualizes interrelationships between individual criteria, offering a robust and reliable basis for decision-making: Could we design the product in a different way? Transparent, easy-to-understand comparisons also make it easier to coordinate activities with the customer. Visualization therefore streamlines the entire product development process.
All product parameters in a single interactive visualization
The PAVED software was initially developed to improve the design of electric motors. This work was based on technical data and mathematical simulations from the researchers in Linz. Electric motors are a prime example of the trade-off challenge, as a large number of variables impact parameters such as efficiency, power, stable operation, and cost—and they are not always intuitively understood. PAVED visualization takes the form of highly precise curves that display how the various individual parameters interact, and what exactly happens if you change any particular value. This can be performed quickly and easily using a slider bar. The software displays how the change in value impacts the other criteria in real-time—allowing the user to experiment with “what would happen if” scenarios to assess variations in design. This makes it possible to instantly recognize conflicts and correlations. For example, an increase in motor power means a rise in cost. To maintain visibility despite so many design options, the software allows the user to define favorites and to color them, ensuring they remain instantly recognizable.
Visualization makes hidden correlations visible
The tool does not replace the expertise of experienced engineers. Instead, it helps them to make the most efficient use of their skills by allowing them to try out unconventional ideas on-screen. “It is often a matter of nuance. A tiny adjustment of one particular value, even something such as the thickness of a material at a specific position, can have an unpredicted impact on other parameters,” explains Lena Cibulski, Project Leader. In other words, visualization makes correlations visible that the experts would not have expected or otherwise uncovered.
Transparent communication of design options
Visualization not only supports the nuts-and-bolts of development work; it is also an excellent aid when presenting ideas to customers or management, allowing them to see at a glance the various options. “There is no single right solution,” says Cibulski. There are a broad variety of design variants with differing attributes and advantages—and the choice is down to the decision-makers in accordance with their priorities. The software is highly intuitive, allowing non-engineers to judge for themselves the various alternatives and to identify the best possible compromise. The solution can be deployed locally or on the internet. Customers or business partners, for instance, can launch the solution simply by clicking on a link—and can then compare and contrast all product variants for themselves. This facilitates communication and streamlines coordination. Its added value could benefit other industries as well. “Our software can be employed to good effect in any field that has to address many different design variants with, at times, incompatible quality criteria that call for a trade-off,” explains Cibulski. She names a number of examples, such as planning the supply of electricity to a building or the development of complex production systems in a factory. And although PAVED was originally conceived for engineering, its visualization capabilities can also help decision-makers in the world of politics and society generally to better evaluate consequences and arrive at the best possible choices.