Open Access

Doris Entner, Philipp Fleck, Thomas Vosgien, Clemens Münzer, Steffen Finck, Thorsten Prante, Martin Schwarz

• In engineering design, optimization methods are frequently used to improve the initial design of a product. However, the selection of an appropriate method is challenging since many methods exist, especially for the case of simulation-based optimization. This paper proposes a systematic procedure to support this selection process. Building upon quality function deployment, end-user and design use case requirements can be systematically taken into account via a decision matrix. The design and construction of the decision matrix are explained in detail. The proposed procedure is validated by two engineering optimization problems arising within the design of box-type boom cranes. For each problem, the problem statement and the respectively applied optimization methods are explained in detail. The results obtained by optimization validate the use of optimization approaches within the design process. The application of the decision matrix shows the successful incorporation of customer requirements to the algorithm selection.