Methods and tools for the optimal adaptable design of open-architecture products

Adaptable design has the potential to improve product competitiveness through meeting customers’ needs in the product life cycle. Design of open-architecture products has been proposed using the adaptable design method with open and adaptable as well as standard interfaces. Effective tools are required for engineers to apply the concept and approaches of the adaptable design in their daily design processes. This research proposes an optimization method of the adaptable design for open-architecture products. Mathematical models and algorithms considering both adaptability and openness have been developed to identify an optimal design of the adaptable product configuration considering the existing modules and products. An integrated system framework and optimization methods have been implemented as a cyber-enabled tool for the adaptable design of open-architecture products to enable users and vendors to participate in the product development processes using open, adaptable, and standard interfaces. Design of an industrial product was carried out to verify the proposed methods and tools. The system usability, effectiveness, and efficiency were also evaluated.