A genetic algorithm-based optimisation approach for product upgradability design

Upgradability is often examined as a life-cycle characteristic that reflects the capability of a product for accommodating functional improvements to achieve a competitive reutilisation and service life extension. As with many life-cycle characteristics, the upgradability of a product is strongly influenced by the configurations of functional, physical, as well as structural features, which are determined at the design stage. In this paper, an optimisation approach is presented to facilitate the search for the optimal design solution for a product's upgradability. The implementation of such an approach is based on a Product Upgradability Index (PUI) model and aims to maximise the Upgradability Efficiency (UE) of a design within specified engineering, economic, and environmental constraints. Genetic algorithm (GA) techniques are used to enable the global search mechanism of the optimisation approach. By using GA, the approach is formulated with three major schemes, namely the fitness evaluation, solution encoding, and genetic operation schemes.