Abstract: A system and method allows a consumer to custom-order an item, such as footwear. The system is capable of accepting a designation for the design of the item by a consumer wherein the item is custom-manufactured according to designation of a characteristic made by the consumer. A display card is associated with the system and has a card member having indicia thereon. The indicia correspond to the designation of the characteristic provided by the consumer.

Abstract: An originating application in a process plant is able to launch multiple desired applications, with one or more of the desired applications having a different application programming interface. In one example, the originating application is able to launch multiple desired applications via an application launcher program. The originating application provides the application launcher program with an indication of the desired application to be launched, and the application launcher program then launches the indicated desired application.

Abstract: After specifications of a power converter are determined, circuit parameter values, a semiconductor device to be used, and an equivalent circuit of the semiconductor device are determined, and parameter values of the equivalent circuit are extracted. Semiconductor device loss is calculated from semiconductor device equivalent circuit parameter data, circuit parasitic parameter data, and circuit basic parameters. Determination as to whether or not the circuit loss optimal value has been achieved is made in consideration of power conversion circuit component parameter data. When the optimal value has not been achieved, the circuit parasitic parameter values are set again so as to create the circuit parasitic parameter data. When the optimal value has been achieved, the semiconductor device loss and the circuit parasitic parameter values at that time are output as design data, and the power converter is designed by use of the optimized semiconductor device loss and circuit parasitic parameter values.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a heating element and a cooking plate arranged and configured to be heated by the heating element, the cooking plate having a first surface facing the heating element and a cooking surface opposite the first surface. A thermostat is located proximate the first surface and associated with a heating element control. An insulating heat shield arrangement partially surrounds the thermostat and shields a shielded portion of the first surface adjacent the thermostat from direct heating by the heating element. The insulating heat shield arrangement is configured to provide a thermal resistance Rh through the cooking plate between the shielded portion of the first surface at the thermostat and a directly heated portion of the first surface outside the shielded portion. The cooking plate is configured such that a thermal resistance Rc through the cooking plate is provided between the shielded portion of the first surface at the thermostat and the cooking surface.

Abstract: A simulation model creating method computes, for measurement results of a line width of a resist pattern formed with varied an exposure amount and focus value, a permissible fluctuation range of the pattern line width from a distribution of the exposure amount and a distribution of the focus value; computes difference values between the measurement results and corresponding approximation values on a fitting function which has the exposure amount and focus value as parameters; compares the difference values with the permissible fluctuation range; deletes any measurement values for which the difference value is larger than the permissible fluctuation range, and recomputes the fitting function accordingly; and deletes measurement values outside a permissible fluctuation range of a pattern line width of the mask, and creates a simulation model.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a plurality of prepaints which are used in any combination to produce base paints and/or colored paints of varying end-use application characteristics. Additionally, a mobile paint factory for producing a plurality of lines of paints from a plurality of prepaints en route to and/or at various locations is disclosed, which may include a vehicle having a paint production system, a spectrometer and a gloss meter. Furthermore, a method of producing a plurality of lines of user-selected paints from a plurality of prepaints en route to and/or at various locations is disclosed. The method may include: providing a mobile paint factory; prompting a user to select a value for a paint attribute on a slider; and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of appropriate prepaints. The method may also comprise storing information about the reflectance of produced paints in a local data storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of designing an aerosol spray dispensing system. One or more to-be-determined attributes of the spray dispenser system are identified, including properties of a fluid to be dispensed, characteristics of the dispensing mechanism, and performance characteristic values. The identified attributes are determined using equations taking into account relationships among the properties of the fluid to be dispensed, the characteristics of the dispensing mechanism and the performance characteristic values. Once determined, the attributes are used to design the spray dispensing system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, into both shape and other user-defined specification(s). Workpieces are portioned both to shape and weight, such as to a weight-specific uniform shape, by adjusting (e.g., scaling up and down or slightly modifying) a desired template shape until the desired weight is achieved depending on the varying thickness of each workpiece. For example, from a thicker workpiece, a smaller-sized piece having a predefined shape and weight is portioned, while from a thinner workpiece, a larger-sized piece having the same predefined shape and weight is portioned. The system permits a user to scan in and edit a desired (reference) shape to be used as a template in the portioning process.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a probe card from data provided by prospective customers via the Internet is provided. Design specifications are entered into the system by prospective customers and compiled into a database. The collective feasibility of each set of design specifications is determined by an automated computer system and communicated to the prospective customer. If feasible, additional software enables prospective customers to create verification packages according to their respective design specifications. These verification packages further consist of drawing files visually describing the final design and verification files confirming wafer bonding pad data. Verification packages are reviewed and forwarded to an applications engineer after customer approval. An interactive simulation of probe card performance is also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to specify and maintain a “location” for an object in a drawing program. A drawing is obtained in a drawing program. One or more objects are obtained in the drawing program. In this regard, one or more of the is a collection of one or more graphical elements. For at least one of the objects, an automatic location property is defined. A value for the location property is obtained from property data of another object, area, or space where the object is “located” (which is based on the location property).

Abstract: Automated, custom mold manufacture for a part begins by creating and storing a collection of information of standard tool geometries and surface profiles machinable by each of the standard tool geometries. A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturability. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which an independent of the shape of the part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wings includes a fixture that holds wing panels for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing. Spars are attached to the wing panel using the coordination holes to locate the spars accurately on the panel in accordance with the original engineering design, and in-spar ribs are attached to rib posts on the spar using accurately drilled coordination holes in the ends of the rib and in the rib post. The wing contour is determined by the configuration of the spars and ribs rather than by any conventional hard tooling which determines the wing contour in conventional processes.

Abstract: A parts list system includes a figure generator, a information database, a figure controller, a part table database and a part table controller. The figure generator generates a CAD figure relating to a unit which includes a plurality of parts, the CAD figure containing at least a figure of the unit and first character strings. The information database stores an attribute of at least a second character string relating to each of the plurality of parts. The figure controller extracts a third character string from the first character strings, the third character string corresponding to the attribute of the second character string. The part table database stores a parts list for managing the parts used for the unit. The part table controller registers the third character strings on the parts list.

Abstract: A molded product from a mold, the mold for molding a molded product in a desired shape can be designed with high precision by correcting a shape change of the molded product. A mold in which use surfaces of an upper mold and a lower mold are formed to be design curved surfaces of an optical lens is prepared. A curved surface shape of the optical lens molded from this mold is measured, and a measured value is approximated by equation (1). The curved surface of the optical lens specified by the equation and a design curved surface are compared to obtain an error between both the curved surfaces. Information corresponding to the error is used as correction information, and the use surfaces in the upper mold and the lower mold are corrected and designed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to create, design, manage, schedule, develop and produce products are disclosed. A method may include displaying information about a product during creation, design, development and/or production. The displaying may be achieved by providing a three axis representation of a product including in which a first axis is a representation of a process chain, a second axis is a representation of product structure, and a third axis is a representation of functional elements of the product. The three axes may be augmented with an underlying circle representing relational interfaces. The method may be implemented on one or more server computers, client computers, and/or other computing devices which may communicate over a network.

Abstract: Structural element, such as a panel, which is embossed with a mode shape (?total), i.e. with any of the various stationary vibration modes (?n) of which the structural element is capable, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a customized manufacturing method for an optoelectrical device. The customized manufacturing method comprises the steps of providing a manufacturing flow including a front-end flow, a customized module subsequent to the front-end flow, and a pause step between the front-end flow and the customized module, processing a predetermined amount of semi-manufactured products queued at the pause step, tuning the customized module in accordance with a customer's request, and processing the semi-manufactured products by the tuned customized module to fulfill the customer's request.

Abstract: A system and method for providing tool operators in a manufacturing environment with clear and accurate tooling information increases tool operators' efficiency and reduces possibilities of errors. An output device and an input device are coupled to a processor. A tool operator enters a product option and a line number in the input device. The processor automatically selects a previously-defined build plan based on the entered information. The processor outputs the selected build plan to the output device. The outputted build plan includes tool information based on the entered product option and line number. The system communicates with a manufacturing system and a tool design system over a network. Build plans with product option and line number information are created at the manufacturing system, and the tool design system associates tools with the product option and line number information.

Abstract: A method for evaluating local buckling performance of a steel pipe includes obtaining a stress-strain relationship of a material having a yield plateau in the stress-strain relationship; determining the comparison of a starting strain of strain-hardening in the stress-strain relationship obtained and a critical strain of the steel pipe; and evaluating that the steel pipe has a possibility of being applied to a structure that requires plastic design when the critical strain is determined to be larger than the starting strain and evaluating that the steel pipe has no possibility of being applied to a structure that requires plastic design when the critical strain is determined to be not larger than the starting strain.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a building sequence planning system for an automobile production line, which can prepare an efficient building sequence. The system comprises an input unit (1) for inputting information of vehicles to be manufactured, a processing unit (3) for deciding an optimum building sequence based on the vehicle information inputted through the input unit (1), and an output unit (5) for externally outputting a building sequence schedule decided by the processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) prepares a vehicle building sequence, determines a degree of dissatisfaction of the prepared building sequence, as a penalty value, in accordance with restriction conditions which are inputted through the input unit (1) and are imposed when building the vehicles into work, and decides a building sequence with a minimum penalty by preparing a plurality of building sequences and determining the penalty value for each building sequence with respect to the restriction conditions.

Abstract: Order handling apparatus of the present invention stores assembly standard information that at least one component is managed for each assembly and component standard information which is basic information of a component to be mapped with each other. Order handling apparatus duplicates component standard information together with assembly standard information to generate individual assembly information for arranging an assembly, assigns arranging formation representing whether a component is arranged or not to generate individual component information and stores them. Order handling apparatus determines whether to reflect an update of component standard information in component standard information contained in individual assembly information based on arranging information when component standard information stored in standard assembly storing unit is updated.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an integrated configuration, flow and execution systems (ICFES) may be used to specify, control and record a history of processing of both semiconductor device experimental lots and production lots of wafers. Moreover, the system allows combining of one or more partial flows of pre-existing flow blocks, and special processing into another processing flow block. A lot plan can be created that includes the flow block, and the lot plan can be updated to include partial flows and special processing before or during processing of the lot plan.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select a vehicle component are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives first configuration data defining a first vehicle assembly configuration, category data defining a component category, and component data defining a vehicle component. The system stores the configuration data and the category data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the component data satisfies a selected vehicle assembly configuration definition and whether the component data satisfies a selected component category definition. The system outputs a representation of the vehicle component if the component data satisfies the selected vehicle assembly configuration definition and the selected component category definition thereby automatically selecting the component.

Abstract: A parametric design system comprises an estimate generator, a layout drawing generator, and a design generator. The estimate generator for generating a cost estimate based on at least one of predetermined properties of the engineered object as defined by a request for proposal defining the engineered object, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The layout drawing generator generates a layout drawing based on at least one of specifications of the engineered object as defined by the request for proposal, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The design generator generates the object design based on an order and a proposal. The proposal is generated based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing. The order is generated based on the proposal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for design of a foot orthotic, and a foot orthotic device designed in accord therewith. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. In the method, sequential pressure is applied to regions on a plantar foot surface, and positional information is obtained about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.

Abstract: A method and system for examining and safely evaluating process systems, including fluid pressure systems, to aid overpressure design and/or sizing of overpressure equipment. The system includes a server subsystem, a storage subsystem, an assessment subsystem, and optionally a report generation subsystem, including computer hardware and application software for supporting these subsystems.

Abstract: A method and system for organizing a process having a plurality of operations is described. The process can be a manufacturing or assembly process. Some sequences of operations in the process are unfeasible. The method includes ordering the various operations of the process in a sequence by iteratively performing via a computer environment the acts of adding information on either a mandatory or an allowable sequence between two operations, and determining from the information on the sequence between the two operations further information on mandatory or allowable relations between operations of the plurality of operations, until all relations between couples of operations of the plurality have been determined. The method further includes organizing the process compliant with the set of relations obtained in the ordering via the computer environment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and product are disclosed for optimizing manufacturing testing of a customized configuration of a product. A plurality of part objects are defined within an order configuration application. Each one of the part objects is associated with one of a plurality of parts. A plurality of test objects is defined within the order configuration application. Each one of the test objects is associated with one of a plurality of tests. The order configuration application is used to generate order information using the part objects that are associated with parts that are selected to be included in a customized product. The order configuration application is also used to generate test cases using the test objects that are associated with the part objects that are associated with parts that are selected to be included in a customized product.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling production systems. Methods include monitoring actual performance of a production system that includes a plurality of machines. The actual performance of the production system is compared to a planned level of performance of the production system. One or more short-term production constraints in the production system are identified in response to the actual performance being more than a threshold value away from the planned level of performance. A corrective action for the production system is determined to mitigate one or more of the short-term production constraints. The corrective action is applied to the production system.

Abstract: An interchangeable drive element for bottle or container supports in a container labeling machine or a machine configured to print information on bottles or containers, which interchangeable drive element is capable of being used in different container labeling or container information printing machines in bottle or container filling plants. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Engineering requirements are defined in an electronic environment. In one embodiment, a method includes providing at least one of a set of master requirements and a set of version requirements to be applied to the electronic product definition, and referencing an electronic reference document from at least one of the set of master requirements and the set of version requirements, the electronic reference document including one or more particular engineering requirements to be applied to the electronic product definition. Alternately, a method includes defining a callout linked to the at least one of the set of master requirements and the set of version requirements, the callout being adapted to supersede a conflicting engineering requirement set forth in at least one of the set of master requirements and the set of version requirements.

Abstract: A manufacturing production and process electronic data model and method of defining the model are provided, in which the model defines the manufacturing of a defined end output product. The electronic data model includes, firstly, a top-level database object that identifies the defined end output product. The electronic data model also includes multiple defined production segment database objects that are each linked to the top-level database object. Each linked production segment database object 1) identifies a defined segment output product, 2) includes a defined bill of material needed as inputs to produce the defined segment output product, and 3) includes a defined routing that describes how the defined segment output product is produced. One of the defined segment output products is the defined end output product.

Abstract: Computer based CAE FSI models for simulating the physical behavior of diapers, and/or diaper materials, and/or diaper machines during diaper manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Generating data used in planning the execution of a manufacturing process includes consistency checks that are performed on proposed groupings of manufacturing operations to make sure that the groupings are defined in a way that enables the information to be aggregated for use in planning. To do this, defined groupings are received for multiple execution-level manufacturing operations that are defined in a manufacturing process execution-level electronic data model and that define a process flow to produce a product. In one aspect, for each of the defined groupings, it is determined whether the defined grouping includes multiple occurrences of a process step definition that has multiple different defined alternative steps, and if so, the defined groupings are changed so that each defined grouping of the defined groupings has no more than a single occurrence of a process step definition that has multiple different defined alternative steps.

Abstract: A method allows analyzing and describing the reflective properties of a three-dimensionally structured original surface. The topology of the original surface is determined and the topological data are stored in the form of a depth map in a first data record and evaluated with respect to the influence of the data on the reflective properties. Each surface element is assigned a reflective value in accordance with the evaluation and the value is stored in a second data record and made available to other machining or inspection systems. There, the reflection values of the second data record are divided into classes and the depth values of the first data record, assigned to the classified reflection values, are varied in accordance with the classification. Finally, the changed depth values are employed as parameters for electronically controlling a tool in order to machine the artificially produced surface.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: A method of designing a wiring harness using a wiring harness design tool can include creating a first wire option expression corresponding to a first wire within a wiring harness design, generating a wire option expression truth table based at least in part on the first wire option expression, modifying the first wire option expression truth table, and modifying the first wire option expression based at least in part on the modified wire option expression truth table.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing a first controller; providing a second controller; using the second controller to control a plurality of valves to provide a sequence of air jets that propel a weft thread across at least a portion of a weft insertion region of an air jet loom; and using the first controller to control at least one aspect of the air jet loom not controlled by the second controller. In some embodiments, a method for a controller in an air jet loom includes (a) defining a reference loom configuration; (b) determining a characterization of the reference loom configuration; (c) determining a modified loom configuration by at least one change to the reference loom configuration; (d) determining a characterization of the modified loom configuration; and (e) revising the reference loom configuration if the characterization of the modified loom configuration satisfies a criteria.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that include advantages such as the ability to identify sizes, shapes and locations of frequently unwanted additional features that occur as a result of photolithographic interference. The additional feature information is obtained through use of simulation methods with reduced processing time or solving a system of equations. This allows a user to quickly find information about additional feature printing before the features are printed, and before the reticle is made.

Abstract: An equivalent material constant calculation system that calculates an equivalent material constant of a structure constituted by a plurality of materials includes a shape data input portion that inputs shape data, a material data input portion that inputs material constant data, a dividing portion that divides the structure into a plurality of small regions, and a small region interior calculation portion that calculates equivalent material constants in the small regions, in which the small region interior calculation portion, based on the shape data and material constant data, with a function that includes a value in a variable that expresses a position in at least one direction in the small region, expresses an equivalent material constant for a region that is a portion of a small region, and using the function, calculates an equivalent material constant for the small region with respect to the at least one direction.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, into both shape and other user-defined specification(s). Workpieces are portioned both to shape and weight, such as to a weight-specific uniform shape, by adjusting (e.g., scaling up and down or slightly modifying) a desired template shape until the desired weight is achieved depending on the varying thickness of each workpiece. For example, from a thicker workpiece, a smaller-sized piece having a predefined shape and weight is portioned, while from a thinner workpiece, a larger-sized piece having the same predefined shape and weight is portioned. The system permits a user to scan in and edit a desired (reference) shape to be used as a template in the portioning process.

Abstract: A mold with which a molded product in a desired shape with an aspherical curved surface is molded can be designed with high precision by correcting shape deformation of the molded product molded from the mold. A mold 10 in which use surfaces 16 of an upper mold 11 and a lower mold 12 are formed to be design curved surfaces of the optical lens in a spherical shape is prepared. A curved surface shape of the optical lens molded from the mold is measured, a measured value is approximated by an equation (1) which is an equation of an aspherical surface and a curved surface of the molded optical lens is specified as an aspherical surface. Information corresponding to an error between the curved surface of the optical lens specified by the equation of the aspherical surface and the above-described design curved surface is compiled into database for each of characteristics of the optical lens as correction information for molding the optical lens of which curved surface is in the spherical shape.

Abstract: An orifice formation system is provided. The system includes a manufacturing machine configured to form an orifice in a workpiece, a computed tomography x-ray machine configured to generate data based on geometry of the workpiece, and a computer in communication with the manufacturing machine and the computed tomography x-ray machine. The computer is configured to control the manufacturing machine based on the data generated by the computed tomography x-ray machine. A method of controlling formation of an orifice in a workpiece is also provided. The method includes acquiring computed tomography data about the workpiece, determining geometry of the workpiece based on the computed tomography data, and forming an orifice in the workpiece based on the determined geometry of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, into both shape and other user-defined specification(s). Workpieces are portioned both to shape and weight, such as to a weight-specific uniform shape, by adjusting (e.g., scaling up and down or slightly modifying) a desired template shape until the desired weight is achieved depending on the varying thickness of each workpiece. For example, from a thicker workpiece, a smaller-sized piece having a predefined shape and weight is portioned, while from a thinner workpiece, a larger-sized piece having the same predefined shape and weight is portioned. The system permits a user to scan in and edit a desired (reference) shape to be used as a template in the portioning process.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus which evaluates environmental load of circulated life cycle in which group of products recovered from one of markets which differ from each other in value lifetime of group is introduced into another of markets, cost thereof and profit thereof generates attribute data of group, attribute data of group including remaining useful lifetime and product age, determinates introduction order and introduction rule which are used for introducing group into markets, based on remaining useful lifetime at point in time when group is recovered from one of markets and remaining value lifetime of group which is obtained by subtracting product age at point in time when group is recovered from one of markets from value lifetime of another of markets, and evaluates environmental load of circulated life cycle in which group is introduced into markets in accordance with introduction order and rule, cost thereof and profit thereof.

Abstract: A host computer 80 for wholly controlling an electronic component mounting line displays a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of a board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed; displays components mounted on the surface side of the board and components mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and designates and determines the positions of support places of a backup device on the displayed superposed image (step 108).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for extending a schema of network parts types and part type attributes hard-coded by a CAD application. The network parts may be used to compose a CAD model. Users may extend the network part schema by adding an attribute or property for an existing network part, or define an entirely new part by associating the new network part with a set of part type attributes. At the same time, the CAD application may use either a hard-coded or dynamically assigned enumeration value to perform a variety of functions using both the hard-coded and user declared network part types and part properties. For example, functions such as searching a network part list or traversing the elements included in a CAD model may operate using the enumeration values, allowing the CAD application to perform these operations efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a geometrical object for modeling the geometry of a metal sheet forming stage (1) in a CAD system. According to said method, an operator is defined which links a first geometrical model with a second geometrical model. The link is associated with a method for physically modeling a treating process which transfers a forming stage (1) from a corresponding first state into a second state. When the first geometrical model is modified, the second geometrical model is automatically updated in accordance with the physical modeling concept. The physical modeling concept for forming stages is thereby integrated into the static geometrical model environment of a CAD system. The physical modeling method is a method for calculating a border line (3) of a forming stage in an initial state prior to a forming process from a geometry of the border line (3) in a resulting state after the forming process.

Abstract: In a method of designing an apparatus formed of at least one component to substantially minimize exergy destruction, at least one of one or more candidate materials and one or more candidate processes are identified. The one or more candidate materials are capable of being used in forming the at least one component and the one or more candidate processes are associated with either or both of the one or more candidate materials and the at least one component. Exergy destruction values of at least one of the one or more candidate materials and the one or more candidate processes are determined. In addition, at least one of the one or more candidate materials and the one or more candidate processes having the substantially lowest exergy destruction values are selected for the apparatus design.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a concrete pavement design including estimating conditions of the pavement, determining properties of the pavement and developing a concrete pavement system. The method may further include selecting a thickness for the system, predicting performance of the system, determining costs of the system, and optimizing the pavement design based on one or more considerations. The method may include iterating one or more considerations. An optimized pavement system having predetermined design parameters.