An assessment of methodical approaches to support the development of modular product families
Year: 2013
Editor: Udo Lindemann, Srinivasan V, Yong Se Kim, Sang Won Lee, John Clarkson, Gaetano Cascini
Author: Krause, Dieter; Ripperda, Sebastian
Series: ICED
Institution: Hamburg University of Technology, Germany
Page(s): 031-040
ISBN: 978-1-904670-47-6
ISSN: 2220-4334
Abstract
Global competition and the trend to individualized products force companies to lower their internal variety, which can be achieved through modular product structures. The literature comprises a wide range of approaches to support the development of modular product families. A selection of significant methods are investigated and evaluated. The method Integrated PKT-Approach for Developing Modular Product Families developed at the Institute of Product Development and Mechanical Engineering Design (PKT) is also characterized. This approach was developed based on the existing literature and approaches and further experience from industrial practice. It integrates aspects of design for variety with technical-functional and product-strategic modularization methods. The methodical approach, as well as its relevance and development, is explained in addition to the literature review.
Keywords: Design for X, integrated product development, product architecture, product families, product structuring