Margin Value Analysis
Module 01 · Tutorial

Step-by-step walkthrough

Building, analysing, and interpreting a Margin Analysis Network.

Overview Organisation Tutorial Case Studies Literature
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Before you start

Tutorial in preparation The structure below is final, but screenshots and worked example figures will be added as the module's documentation is completed.

This tutorial walks through a full MVM analysis on a small worked example: a belt conveyor design where pump pressure must satisfy a load-driven threshold. By the end you will have built a Margin Analysis Network, run an analysis, and interpreted the resulting Margin Value Plot.

You only need a modern web browser. The module runs entirely client-side; no installation is required.

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Walkthrough

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01

Define inputs and parameters

Drag input nodes onto the canvas for the parameters that may change during the design's life — mass, height, environmental conditions. Mark the performance parameters you ultimately care about (for example, design pressure or efficiency).

Screenshot: input nodes on the canvas
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Add calculation nodes

Wire deterministic calculations between inputs and downstream parameters. Each calculation node carries a formula, an optional lookup table, or a surrogate model. Greek letters and standard mathematical functions are supported.

Screenshot: calculation nodes wired up
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Add decision nodes

Capture catalogue or discrete-choice decisions. A decision node automatically registers a margin between its decided value and the threshold required by the network — for example, the chosen pump's rated pressure versus the pressure required by the load.

Screenshot: decision node and auto-generated margin
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Run the analysis

Open the analysis panel, optionally set weights on inputs and performance parameters, and run. The engine computes local excess, impact, and absorption for every margin in the network.

Screenshot: analysis panel and result table
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Read the Margin Value Plot

Margins are placed on a bubble chart with impact on the X-axis, absorption on the Y-axis, and bubble size set by local excess. Use the four-quadrant interpretation in the Overview to decide which margins to keep, trade off, ignore, or reduce.

Screenshot: Margin Value Plot
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Iterate the design

Change a parameter, swap a catalogue selection, or restructure the network and re-run. The Margin Value Plot updates so you can see whether your edit moves margins into more favourable quadrants.

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Next steps