DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF VARIABILITY IN CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF MODULAR PRODUCT FAMILIES
DS 32: Proceedings of DESIGN 2004, the 8th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2004
Editor: Marjanovic D.
Author: Kunz, A.; Sekolec, R.; Meier, M.
Section: DESIGN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Page(s): 331 - 336
Abstract
An often-used measure to achieve a more cost-effective realisation of product variety is the development of modular product families. Due to the fact that 70% of the product costs are determined in early stages of the design process, it is important to define and describe the required variability of the product family in an early process step of product design. Based on the described variability different measures for assessing, controlling, avoiding and reducing this variability can take place on a conceptual design level. By characteristics and parameter values a conceptual definition and description of the variability of modular product families can be accomplished. Based on this description an adequate product structure can be designed.
Keywords: product family, product structuring, modelling variability