Design of experiments methodology to improve the structural behaviour of a leg rest handle

Design of Experiments (DoE) has been used in multiple disciplines in multiple situations over the years. This tool has been applied many times in the area of industrial product development, but its use is extremely limited due to the cost of modelling. It is necessary to spend some hours in pre-processing to create the files. The possibility of parameterization has facilitated its implementation in CAD models, but this action has not been translated to CAE models. In this article the structural optimization of an interior system automotive component is presented using this tool. This optimization has been achieved using models obtained through shell mesh CAE strategy, the standard type of element used in global CAE models.