Finding Optimal Combination in a Matrix

Attached is an Excel generated response surface graph

I've attached the excel document. Any help would be appriciated as I am told there is no KNOWN way of determining the optimal solution.

Thanks in advance !!

Please look at my attachment (sent previously). There are multiple solutions

Originally Posted by SDruley

Please look at my attachment (sent previously). There are multiple solutions

I'm unable to see any attachments

The array is attached. You might rate the various combinations from 1 to 10 to determine where the top of the mountain is. If you knew the costs of each combination, we could enter that as a third variable.

It would appear that the cells in the matrix must be the product of the following:
X = The perceived degree of importance of having timely data and information to improve production operations [1-10]
Y = The distance between the terminals on a normalized scale from [10-1]
Z = The cost of installing a workable terminal environment (may need an ANSI cabinet) from (10-1)

Each of the above variables must also have a coefficient exclaiming the relative importance of each variable on manufacturing costs and quality.
These variables could be named Cx, Cy, Cz

So, in the case of where the assembly lines need to exchange data with the Tool Room, you might have an equation as follows:
Mfg Costs = (Cx)*(X)*(Cy)*(Y)*(Cz)*(Z)
Use this equation for each cell

Highlight all of the cells in the finished matrix and insert a contour plot using Excel

The resulting peaks in the terrain represent optimum solutions for maximizing productivity and value.

Don't ever try to do something like this that is disassociated with its connection to manufacturing

I found a workbook someone had put together that would work for my problem, however, after trying to use it I'm getting an VB error.

Can someone please take a look, the VB password is 5RHLYB

thanks in advance !!

I took a look at your software. It is very sophisticated. It appears that there is an add-in missing. Go back to the source to get it.

As a suggestion in the future it would be my recommendation that you give the user community some idea about your purpose and objective and the primary variables associated with accomplishing them.

I have learned a great deal from this thread. Obviously, you are in your own zone and know a lot more about this subject than I do. Excel Forum pays off again.

FLEXGRID wans't working due to a windows security update.

FYI...WINDOWS SECURITY UPDATE KB960715 disables the use of several activeX features in excel. Uninstall this update and it worked flawlessly just had to re-add the flexgrid to the form.

Thanks for the help !!