Product Design for Variety Based on Modularity Analysis

Abstract

PRODUCT VARIETY IS THE DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTS THAT A COMPANY OFFERS TO THE MARKETPLACE AT A POINT IN TIME AND IT CAN BE THE KEY OF A PRODUCT LINE SUCCESS, IF ITS ARCHITECTURE IS CORRECT. THIS PAPER PRESENTS THE STATE OF THE ART OF PRODUCT VARIETY IN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND NTRODUCES A METHODOLOGY TO DEVELOP PRODUCT ARCHITECTURES REQUIRING MINIMAL REDESIGN BASED ON MODULARITY. THIS METHODOLOGY ASSISTS IN REDUCING PRODUCTS TIME TO MARKET BY APPLYING THE GENERATIONAL VARIETY (IVG) AND COUPLING (IC) INDEXES. THIS PAPER ALSO REPORTS A CASE STUDY IN WHICH THIS METHODOLOGY IS APPLIED TO A MEMBER OF AN EVAPORATIVE COOLER FAMILY.