Abstract
Modularity is the key to improve the cost-variety trade-off in product family development. This paper presents a methodology for identifying the constituent modules of product family. The methodology includes the following principles: (1) identify and isolate the individualized components into one module so that the product's differentiation point is postponed; (2) identify and isolate the components with high possibility of being changed in the future into one module in order to improve the stability and commonality in the product family; (3) improve the functional independency of the modules so as to support the module configuration process and the functional extension of the product family; and (4) improve the structural independency of the modules so as to achieve higher efficiency in the module manufacturing process. These four principles are incorporated into a mathematical model and therefore the module identification problem is translated into a multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem. The problem is solved using genetic algorithm (GA). A case study is carried out on a gear reducer. Sensitivity analyses show that relative weights of each principle and different initial numbers of modules result in different module schemes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 26-40 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Genetic algorithm
- Mass customization
- Module identification
- Product family
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Control and Systems Engineering
- Software
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science Applications
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering