Title: A theory and method for combining multiple approaches for product customisation

Authors: Gabriel Hernandez, Janet K. Allen, Farrokh Mistree

Addresses: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation, 4400 Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826–2399, USA. ' Systems Realization Laboratory, The G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 30332–0405, USA. ' Systems Realization Laboratory, The G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 30332–0405, USA

Abstract: A number of design techniques have been developed in recent years to improve the design of custom-made products, but no rigorous method has appeared until now to combine these techniques systematically. In this paper we describe a new method that addresses this issue, based on the formulation of the design of customisable products as a problem of optimal access in a geometric space. The method is illustrated with the design of a line of custom-made hand exercisers.

Keywords: product families; constructal theory; mass customisation; multiple approaches; product design; product variety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMASSC.2006.008628

International Journal of Mass Customisation, 2006 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.315 - 339

Published online: 12 Jan 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article