Claims
- 1. A computer method for providing optimization for manufacturing processes for situations wherein there is defined a functional form y=f(x,b), where x comprises a set of independent controllable variables x={x1, . . . xn}, b comprises a set of functional parameters b={b1, . . . bm}, and y comprises a dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable, f(x,b) subject to constraints on the dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable y, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) converting the constraints on y to constraints on b by using a functional estimate of y and its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; (ii) optimizing the function f(x,b) subject to the converted constraints on its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; and (iii) generating from step (ii) a set of optimized values of b which can optimize the dependent manufacturing variable y.
- 2. A computer method according to claim 1, comprising a step (iv) of computing the dependent manufacturing variable y at a new set of the independent variables x, said x not being part of an historical set of x variables inherited from step (ii).
- 3. A computer method according to claim 2, comprising steps for guaranteeing that the computed y satisfies the constraints on the dependent manufacturing variable y at the new set of independent variables.
- 4. A computer method according to claim 1, comprising a step (iv) of computing values of the dependent manufacturing variable at several new points of the independent variable x.
- 5. A computer method according to claim 4, comprising steps of:
(v) determining that the new points are ordered; and (vi) sequentially adding the appropriate constraints.
- 6. A computer method according to claim 4, comprising steps of:
(v) determining that the new points are not ordered; and (vi) deriving y at each new point based only on historical data and y's own contribution to the set of constraints.
- 7. A computer method according to claim 4, comprising simultaneously deriving y for all new points by a step of adding all associated new constraints to the historical set.
- 8. A program storage device, readable by machine to perform method steps for providing optimization for manufacturing processes for situations wherein there is defined a functional form y=f(x,b), where x comprises a set of independent controllable variables x={x1, . . . xn}, b comprises a set of functional parameters b={b1,. .bm}, and y comprises a dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable, f(x,b) subject to constraints on the dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable y, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) converting the constraints on y to constraints on b by using a functional estimate of y and its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; (ii) optimizing the function f(x,b) subject to the converted constraints on its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; and (iii) generating from step (ii) a set of optimized values of b which can optimize the dependent manufacturing variable y.
- 9. A computer for providing optimization for manufacturing processes, the computer comprising:
(i) means for inputting data defining a functional form y=(x,b), where x comprises a set of independent controllable variables x={x1, . . . xn}, b comprises a set of functional parameters b={b1, . . . bm}, and y comprises a dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable, f(x,b) subject to constraints on the dependent uncontrollable manufacturing variable y; (ii) means for converting the constraints on y to constraints on x by using a functional estimate of y and its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; (iii) means for optimizing the function f(x,b) subject to the converted constraints on its manufacturing variables (parameters) b; (iv) means for generating from element (iii) a set of optimized values of b which optimizes the dependent manufacturing variable y; and (v) means for displaying the set of optimized values of b and the resulting manufacturing variable y.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,555, filed Oct. 25, 2000, by Heching, et al. (IBM Docket YOR920000589); and, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/788,939, by Heching et al. (IBM Docket No. YOR920010161). These applications are co-pending, commonly assigned, and incorporated by reference herein.