Development of product platforms: Theory and methodology

Abstract

There is a trend toward increased customization of goods to satisfy a wide range of customers using product platforms. However, there is an erroneous notion that product platforms can only be used to provide economic viability in production thanks to the reuse of physical components among a family of products. Yet, this is a limited perception of the potential of a product platform. In this article, an object-oriented approach to support the development of product platforms is proposed to increase efficiency through reuse and flexibility of designs among a family of products. Two modes of the platform development process are addressed: platform preparation and platform execution. Platform preparation prescribes the methods needed to model platform objects, using enhanced function-means models and set-based concurrent engineering processes. During the platform execution process, sets of design alternatives can be configured concurrently throughout the conceptual, system, and detailed phases of the platform development. Three cases illustrate how the same approach may be used in different design scenarios: design space exploration and extension, supply-chain collaboration, and configure-to-order. The approach supports system architects and design engineers in making design decisions that propel the platform development work by enabling analysis in stages where designs are immature and evaluating the goodness of the alternatives early. Ultimately, product platforms can be efficiently developed for modularity and scalability to find feasible product variants and meet the needs of a multitude of customers.

Set-based design: a review and new directions

“…This approach discloses dislocated methodologies and tools that may foster scatter, hand-offs and waste. The same approach and gaps are present in Johannesson et al (2017). Since product modelling and configurable product models span multiple product development stages and domains (i.e., functional, technological, physical processes) (Wortmann & Erens 1995;Erens 1996;Andreasen, Hansen & Mortensen 1996;Männistö et al 2001;Huet et al 2011;Toche et al 2012), it is argued by Toche (2017) that their ability to enable SBCE can be explored from a holistic PD perspective and by using a continuum of tools and methodology as they pertain to large-scale industrial conventional PD supporting frameworks such as PDM (including configuration management) and PLM.…”

Product Platforms in Industrialized House Building – Information Modeling Method

“…In their recent publication, Johannesson, et al [40] propose a framework for the development of flexible product platforms (FPPD). The first part of the framework is platform preparation where platform objects are modeled using EF-M and CC modeling techniques.…”

“…Through backward and forward citation search two product platform modeling approaches not yet applied to the IHB context were identified. These are the Design platform (DP) modeling method [39] and product platform development framework combining enhanced Function-Means (EF-M) modeling, Configurable Component (CC) modeling and Set-based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) [40].…”

Concurrent Engineering Model for the Implementation of New Products in the Textile Industry: A Case Study

“…It is not easy for enterprise staff to switch to a new work system. Therefore, it is necessary to continue collaborative work and eliminate implementation barriers such as lack of concurrent job training, lack of internal experience and management support, inadequate communication, inadequate organizational structure [16], and changes in the staff's mentality [55]. Despite the inconveniences that arose in this project, the team members showed a friendlier dynamic and less resistance to the decisions made under this new way of working.…”