Impact of product modular design on agile manufacturing

Abstract

Modularization of products gives many benefits for different functions within a manufacturing company, both for manufacturing and for other business functions and processes. In this paper, common terms and methods used in product management and managing the product variety are presented. The main objective in this paper is to increase understanding of the concept of modularization on product design. It is described the special characteristics of the project business to the products and their modularity. In the empirical part a preliminary model for analysing the degree and form of modularisation in products is created. The core idea is to analyse and describe dimensions of the existing modularity of the product. Finally this analysis is applied to some key modules of recovery boilers.