Why do Design Optimisation?

Optimisation has been used in industrial design for several decades. In particular, structural optimisation has made a major impact. Many of the general optimisation problems addressed in the past have been of a tactical nature rather than strategic. However, in recent years computing power and analysis capabilities have developed to the point where designs can now be assessed more comprehensively than ever before, with optimisation as an integral part of the design cycle. Moreover there is increasing industrial pressure to provide products whose cost, performance, durability and customer appeal have been refined and balanced to maximise market return.