From: carm@cs.umd.edu (Richard Chimera)
Newsgroups: sci.math.num-analysis,sci.engr,sci.engr.mech,um.general
Subject: Multicriteria / vector analysis for design optimization
Keywords: optimization, design
Date: 5 Jan 93 18:31:25 GMT
Followup-To: sci.math.num-analysis
Distribution: dc
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742


Hello everyone.  I'm evaluating a piece of software that solves
engineering design optimization using multicriteria analysis,
vector analysis, and parameter space investigation.  I am a
software interface and usability expert, but not an optimization
analysis expert.  See the end of this message for further blurbs
on the software.

I'd appreciate any help that you can provide me w.r.t. what would
constitute good optimization techniques, whether the methods the
software provides is relatively complete, etc.  I do not have source
code and would not expect anyone to analyze source code.  I would
just like you to say "they should provide method X," or "wow, they
provide a very excellent method here," etc.  

The best way to accomplish this (in order) is to have you :
 - come to my location at College Park and look at the full program
 - look at their demo disk which is freely distributable
 - have me send you prints or lists of menu items, docs, etc.

To tempt you some, since so far this "deal" I'm offering doesn't 
sound so great yet, the authors of the program are Russian scientists
who (used to?) work on the Russian space shuttle and have used this
program to optimize many parts of the design of that shuttle.  In
one case, they were able to shed 300kg of weight from the tail section
of the shuttle!  I expect the level of effort from you would be on
the order of only one hour, possibly two if you saw interesting aspects
to this program.

Since I do not read these bboards to which I'm posting, please respond
to me by email at carm@cs.umd.edu or give me a call at 301-405-2757.

Thanx for your assistance in this matter.

+Rick Chimera
  Richard "carm" Chimera, Lab Manager   | A population of sheep will eventually
  Human Computer Interaction Lab, U Md. | beget a government of wolves.
  A.V. Williams Bldg                    |   -- William Sloan Coffin
  College Park, MD  20742-3255    USA   |  

================


Engineering optimization problems, including design problems, are
essentially multicreterial.  The main thing here is: the experience
gained in solving engineering optimization and optimal design problems
shows that the expert cannot state a problem correctly.
Unforunately, the known optimization techniques are only of slender
assistance.

For correct statement and solving of engineering optimization problems
a unique methiod called PARAMETER SPACE INVESTIGATION  (PSI) has been
developed and widely integrated into various fields of industry,
science and technology.

(My further description: PSI takes a problem statement and iterates
the analysis N times using the output of the previous run as input
to the next run, eventually optimizing the many parameters.)
-- 
  Richard "carm" Chimera, Lab Manager   | A population of sheep will eventually
  Human Computer Interaction Lab, U Md. | beget a government of wolves.
  A.V. Williams Bldg                    |   -- William Sloan Coffin
  College Park, MD  20742-3255    USA   |  
Xref: sparky sci.math:17826 sci.math.symbolic:3404 comp.graphics:13552