Design for Modularity

This chapter presents a Design for Modularity technique — Modular Function Deployment, a systematic procedure consisting of five major steps that starts with Quality Function deployment (QFD) analysis to establish customer requirements and technical solutions with a special emphasis on modularity.

Abstract

This chapter presents a Design for Modularity technique — Modular Function Deployment. It is a systematic procedure consisting of five major steps. It starts with Quality Function Deployment (QFD) analysis to establish customer requirements and technical solutions with a special emphasis on modularity. This is followed by a systematic generation and selection of modular concepts. Module Indication Matrix (MIM) is used to identify possible modules by examining the interrelationships between module drivers and technical solutions. A questionnaire is provided for this. MIM also provides a mechanism for investigating opportunities of integrating multiple functions into single modules. A thorough evaluation can be carried out using Modularity Evaluation Charts (MEC) for each modular concept. Module Indication Matrix is used again to identify opportunities of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) for further improvements to promising modules. While Module Indication Matrix (MIM) is applied at the level of sub-functions to establish modules, Modularity Evaluation Chart is applied at the product level as a whole. They complement each other.