Multi-objective optimisation of product modularity

The optimal modular configuration of a product’s architecture can lead to many advantages throughout the product lifecycle. Advantages such as: ease of product upgrade, maintenance, repair and disposal, increased product variety and greater product development speed. However, finding an optimal modular configuration is often difficult. Finding a solution will invariably mean trade-offs will have to be made between various lifecycle drivers. One of the main strengths of a computerised optimisation is that trade-off analysis becomes simple and straightforward and hence speeds up the product architecture decision making process. However, there are a lack of computerised methods that can be applied to optimise modularity for multiple lifecycle objectives. To this end, a genetic algorithm based optimisation framework has been developed to optimise modularity from a whole lifecycle perspective, namely, design, production, use and end of life. The paper will look briefly at the optimisation criteria then examine the optimisation framework - in particular the specialised developed genetic algorithm.