Optimal Size Selection in Standardization: A Case Study

Abstract

Application of ‘preferred numbers’ to select the sizes of a product to be standardized may lead to relatively large ‘adaptation losses’ due to alterations and inefficient utilization. In this paper, a simple model is presented that can be used to select the sizes such that adaptation losses are minimal, given the number of sizes that is chosen. Application of this model reduces the adaptation losses usually by 20-40% and the production costs by 2-8%. The model is illustrated by a case study concerning the standardization of the horizontal dimensions of concrete piles.