Abstract: Energy optimization design method is a method for the comprehensively considering the energy consuming and function operation of product at the same time during the process of design. Informed by axiomatic design theory, the definition of design unit, as the basic element in the energy optimization design method, is modified and extended to the package of the mapping between design domains and energy efficiency model. The design process and the energy information can be integrated together, and this design information in various design stages can be presented in a uniform expression. Since design unit (DU) and axiomatic design (AD) have the same mapping basic for function realization, the analyzing process model for design unit is established to describe the solution generating process. The energy optimization design method, including reverse and positive energy design process, is established. The energy design information is obtained in reverse energy design process, while the function operation and energy optimization is integrated together in positive energy design process, to get the optimized solution under the guidance of the product’s energy design information. Numerical control lathe is presented as the case study to validate the energy optimization axiomatic design method.

Key words: Axiomatic design, Design unit, Energy optimization, NC lathe