Total performance design of product life cycle considering the uncertainties in product-use stage

Abstract

Product life cycle design has gained more interest in recent years due to growing concern about environmental problems. In general, there exist significant uncertainties (e.g., operating condition, user preference, collection rate etc.) in product life cycle and a design method that is robust and tolerant against these uncertainties should be established. To this end, this paper discusses the uncertainties in product life cycle and evaluates their impact on total performance throughout a whole product life cycle. Based on this discussion, a design method for product life cycle that maximizes its total performance handling these uncertainties is proposed.