Title: Research on component relation network of product family and its application

Authors: Fuyun Liu, Guoning Qi

Addresses: Department of Electronic Machinery and Transportation Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China. ' Institute of Contemporary Manufacturing Engineering, College of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China

Abstract: Applying complex network theory to mass customisation. A component relation network is constructed. Statistical parameters of the network are calculated and bi-logrithmic coordinate distribution curves of the parameters are drawn. A universality analysis method of component is proposed. In-degree evolving rule of the network is proposed. The analytical probability density function of in-degree distribution is derived. A modularisation comparing method of the product family is presented. A use number forecast method of component is presented. The methods are applied to a steam turbine product family, and the methods are verified.

Keywords: mass customisation; complex network theory; scale-free models; universality analysis; use number forecast; steam turbines; modularisation; component relation networks; product families.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2008.018019

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2008 Vol.31 No.2/3/4, pp.186 - 201

Published online: 27 Apr 2008 *

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