Modularity in design of products and systems

TLDR

Modularity uses common units to create product variants and allows modules to be shared across different products. The study develops models and solution approaches for modularity in mechanical, electrical, and mixed process products, including a formal method for optimally forming modules even with limited information. The authors introduce a matrix representation of modularity, use a decomposition approach to identify modules, and demonstrate the methods with numerous examples.

Abstract

Modularity refers to the use of common units to create product variants. This paper aims at the development of models and solution approaches to the modularity problem for mechanical, electrical, and mixed process products (e.g., electromechanical products). To interpret various types of modularity, e.g., component-swapping, component-sharing and bus modularity, a matrix representation of the modularity problem is presented. The decomposition approach is used to determine modules for different products. The representation and solution approaches presented are illustrated with numerous examples. The paper presents a formal approach to modularity allowing for optimal forming of modules even in the situation of insufficient availability of information. The modules determined may be shared across different products.