Robust Fractional Factorial Design — Noise-Resistant Experimentation with Reduced Run Counts

Robust fractional factorial design combines the run-count efficiency of fractional factorial arrays with Taguchi's robust parameter design philosophy. By simultaneously manipulating control factors (inner array) and noise factors (outer array) — each structured as a fractional factorial — the method identifies factor settings that minimize product or process variation due to uncontrollable conditions, without requiring a full factorial experiment.