Title: A dynamic planning model based on graph theory for product platform and module

Authors: Yongming Wu; Liang Hou; Samuel H. Huang; Rongshen Lai

Addresses: Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Public Big Data Key Laboratory, Guizhou Province, Guizhou, Guiyang, 550025, China ' Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China ' Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, 361005, China

Abstract: Platform and module planning results using traditional methods are usually not consistent with the actual situation in product family design (PFD). Research was conducted involving modularisation theory and implementation methods to overcome the difficulty of platform and module dynamic planning/re-design for mass customisation (MC). A graph-theoretical approach was also developed in PFD. Firstly, the commonality and the physical structure of the existing product variants were analyzed in a product family. Part commonality and the physical structure of similar products were then modelled using a directed and an undirected graph, respectively. According to market demands, different platform thresholds and boundary parameters of modules were set dynamically. The product platform and modules were then generated in a product family and the potential parts to be used were identified. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach was demonstrated by the dynamic planning of the working devices of small wheel loaders.

Keywords: product family design; PFD; modularity; graph theory; planning management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2019.100159

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2019 Vol.33 No.1/2, pp.53 - 75

Received: 04 May 2017
Accepted: 07 Jun 2017
Published online: 14 Jun 2019 *

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