Introduction to Optimization

OPTIMIZATION

There are lot of difficulties faced by Engineers and Researchers in industries and academic to understand the role of optimization in engineering design. To many of them, optimization is an esoteric technique used only in mathematics and operations research related activities.

It is primarily used in design activities in which the goal is not only to achieve just a feasible design, but also a design objective.

In simple manner a beginner can understand it as a process of minima or maxima (of feed) just to achieve the Maximum Product or Feasible design which can achieve the more profit for an Industry or Researcher.

To start Optimization process we need an Algorithm process.

An optimization algorithm is a procedure which is executed iteratively by comparing various solutions till the optimum or a satisfactory solution is found.

For an industrial design purpose, if there are designs previously available so we can compare them to have the optimal solution. This is another way of optimization, but this simplistic approach never guarantees an optimal solution.

These algorithms are becoming increasingly popular in engineering design activities, primarily because of the availability and affordability of high speed computers.

For example:- 

1. In Aerospace design, algorithms are used to minimize the weight and every component adds to the overall weight of the aircraft.

2. In chemical industry for the design of Dryer, reactor and other equipment, algorithms are used and they a profitable weight for Industry.