Interface diagram: Design tool for supporting the development of modularity in complex product systems

Bruun, Hans Peter Lomholt; Mortensen, Niels Henrik; Harlou, Ulf

doi:10.1177/1063293x13516329

Cited by 33 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The module interface is a boundary binding surface with a certain geometry, size and precision [12] .Modular products are composed of modules that have independent functions and are connected by module interfaces. Therefore, the module interface has the following functions: achieve the connection positioning through the coordination of the geometric structure of the interface, and fulfil the material, motion, energy or information exchange between the modules [13] .…”

Section: 1 Definition and Classification Of The Module Interfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A digital expression method for the module interface in a practical bus chassis modular design and case history

Qian

Liu

Robinson

et al. 2018

Concurrent Engineering

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Modular design of products can effectively reduce product development cycle with the idea of concurrent engineering, the efficient management of module interface information in the design process is the premise and foundation for module sharing. This study aims to develop a methodology for interface information management in bus chassis modular design. The characteristics of module interfaces in mechanical design are firstly investigated by the comparison with USB interfaces. A digital expression method is then proposed to describe the characteristics of interface geometry information using two matrices with mapping relationships. An encoding method is then developed for the interface information management in modular design. Finally, the implementation of the above method was illustrated with a case study of an electric bus chassis modular design. Novelty of the research is to provide a methodology to represent the characteristics of interface in mechanical design through digital expression. 1 Article history: Concurrent engineering is a systematic approach to product design and its related processes (manufacturing process and support process) in parallel and integrated. This approach requires designers to take into account all factors that cover the life cycle of the product in the initial stage of the design, the product model that meets the requirements of the user is established through the cooperation and sharing of information from various departments [1][2][3][4] . For modular products, concurrent design of multiple modules with the idea of concurrent engineering can effectively reduce the development cycle of products. In the design process, the module interface is the basis for the product module to realize the connection, establish a unified "language" to achieve interface information management is a useful way to improve the design efficiency.Authors have already made positive contributions concerning the design and information management of the module interface. For example, Definitions of interface has shown firstly and the importance of minimize interfaces during a product realization process is emphasized [5] ; Development of an interface design method based on an axiomatic design, which evaluates and selects the interface design scheme with the use of a DFMA software tool [6] ; also, definition the performance parameters of the modular machine tool which interfaces and analyses the influence of these performance parameters on the overall performance of machine tools [7] ; A researcher divided interfaces into internal interfaces and external interfaces, discussed the relationship between modular product interfaces and product innovation design, and established the theoretical matrix of interfaces [8] ;Development of a coding and serialisation design method of the loader module interface, which improved the versatility and interchangeability of the module [9] ; Taking a hydraulic press as an example, and proposing a concept of flexible interface, researchers expanded the application of modular desi...

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Section: 1 Definition and Classification Of The Module Interfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A digital expression method for the module interface in a practical bus chassis modular design and case history

Qian

Liu

Robinson

et al. 2018

Concurrent Engineering

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“…A clear definition of the potential offers of the company and the feasibility of product characteristics could be established for a set of requirements [15]. Figure 1 shows an example of modular product architecture for the case of bobcat machine, including the internal composition of modules and the interaction between them [16]. The similar concepts mentioned in the literature are 'building product architecture', 'design dependencies and interfaces' and 'architecture of product families', which can be used for the development of GPA.…”

Section: Product Modular Architecturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modular Architectures Management with PLM for the Adaptation of Frugal Products to Regional Markets

Belkadi

Gupta

Natalizio³

et al. 2017

Product Lifecycle Management and the Industry of the Future

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Nowadays companies are challenged with high competitiveness and saturation of markets leading to a permanent need of innovative products that ensure the leadership of these companies in existing markets and help them to reach new potential markets (i.e. emerging and mature market). Requirements of emerging markets are different in terms of geographic, economic, cultural, governance policies and standards. Thus, adopting existing European product to develop new products tailored to emerging markets is one possible strategy that can help companies to cope with such challenge. To do so, a large variety of products and options have to be created, managed and classified according to the requirements and constraints from a target regional market. This paper discusses the potential of PLM approach to implement the proposed modular product design approach for the adaptation of European product and production facilities to emerging markets. Using modular approach, the product design evolves iteratively coupling the configuration of various alternatives of product architectures and the connection of functional structures to their contexts of use. This enables the customization of adapted product to specific customer's needs.

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“…One key objective of interface management is preventing interface problems. Most interface management examples refer to interfaces in the product domain [e.g., Lindemann, Maurer, and Braun, 2009;Rahmani and Thomson, 2011;Bruun, Mortensen, and Harlou, 2013] and in the organization domain [e.g., Eckert, 2001;Sosa et al, 2007;Maier et al, 2009b]. In comparison, interface management specifically applied to the process domain has not had the same level of attention.…”

Section: Process Domain: Interface Problems and Interface Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Design Process Interfaces as Organization Networks: Insights for Engineering Systems Management

Parraguez

Eppinger

Maier

2016

Systems Engineering

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Abstract-The engineering design literature has provided guidance on how to identify and analyse design activities and their information dependencies. However, a systematic characterisation of process interfaces between engineering design activities is missing, and the impact of structural and compositional aspects of interfaces on process performance is unclear. To fill these gaps, we propose a new approach that characterises process interfaces as organisation networks consisting of people and their interactions when performing interfacing activities. Furthermore, we provide guidance on how to test and interpret the effect of those characteristics on interface problems. As a result, we show how structural and compositional aspects of the organisation networks between information-dependent activities provide valuable insights to better manage complex engineering design processes. The proposed approach is applied to the development of a power plant, analysing 79 process interfaces. The study reveals a relationship between the structure and composition of the process interfaces and reported interface problems. Implications of this approach include the integration of information about process and organisation architectures, the systematic identification of key performance metrics associated with interface problems, and improved support for engineering managers by means of a better overview of information flows between activities.

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Interface diagram: Design tool for supporting the development of modularity in complex product systems

Cited by 33 publications

References 16 publications

A digital expression method for the module interface in a practical bus chassis modular design and case history

A digital expression method for the module interface in a practical bus chassis modular design and case history

Modular Architectures Management with PLM for the Adaptation of Frugal Products to Regional Markets

Characterizing Design Process Interfaces as Organization Networks: Insights for Engineering Systems Management

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