A Fundamental Study on the Design Methodology of Upgradable Machines

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The purpose of this project is to investigate the feasibility of formalizing design methodology of upgradable machines. The study was conducted in the following three steps.1 . Identification of design patterns for upgrading designs : By analyzing industrial design cases, we articulated and identified design patterns that appeared in upgrading design cases. The following three patterns were identified and were used to build the design methodology of upgradable machines : Making functional structures isolate and independent, Adding spare functions, and Upgradable design processes. Making functional structures isolate and independent is a design operation that makes components which exhibit the interested function identified (and isolated) and independent of other components. By doing so, this set of components can be regarded as a unit for upgrading. Adding spare functions is a design operation that adds extra, spare functions to the existing components that exhibit the interested function. Upgradable design processes are needed to plan and embed upgradability in a series of a product family.2. Investigation of planning methods for upgrading : We identified factors to be considered in building plans for upgrading a product series over generations. In particular, we identified one of the most critical factors in doing so is the uncertainty of prediction.3. Building a prototype system to support upgradable design : We implemented a prototype system to support upgradable design of mechanical systems.Consequently, we could formalize a design methodology of upgradable machines consisting of three strategies (i.e., Making functional structural components isolate and independent, Adding spare functions, and Upgradable design processes) based on which a design support system was built. The report illustrates the support system with an example of upgradable design and this demonstrates the power of the design methodology for upgradability.