Simultaneous optimization of mechanical properties of steel by maximizing exponential desirability functions

A modelling approach to optimize a multiresponse system is presented. The approach aims to identify the setting of the input variables to maximize the degree of overall satisfaction with respect to all the responses. An exponential desirability functional form is suggested to simplify the desirability function assessment process. The approach proposed does not require any assumptions regarding the form or degree of the estimated response models and is robust to the potential dependences between response variables. It also takes into consideration the difference in the predictive ability as well as relative priority among the response variables. Properties of the approach are revealed via two real examples - one classical example taken from the literature and another that the authors have encountered in the steel industry.