Modular Product FamiliesChris Hoag and Ted Radtke

References

• Controlling Design Variants by Ericsson and Erixon

• The Power of Product Platforms by Meyer and Lehnerd

• Managing Product Families by Sanderson and Uzumeri

• TM 9-2330-280-20-1 Technical Manual Unit MaintenanceHQ, Department of the Army

Outline

• Introduction

• Modularity and Product Platforms

• Managing Product Platforms

• Platform Management Strategies

• Modular Function Deployment

• HMMWV

• Conclusion

IntroductionProduct Modularity Development

• Increasing Complexity

• Increase Efficiency

• Expanding Technology

• Streamlining

• Need for Automation

• Changing Demands

Modularity and Product Platforms

• Product Modularity

• Product Platforms

• Advantages of Modularity

• Module Drivers

• Levels of Modularity

Advantages of Modularity

• Increased Flexibility

• Shorter Lead Time

• Lower Cost

• Improved Quality

• Better Service

• Ease of Upgrades

Module Drivers

• Technology Evolution

• Product Changes

• Common Units

• Styling

• Service & Maintenance

• Upgrades & Recycling

Levels of Modularity

Managing Product PlatformsThe Power Tower

• Market Applications

• Product Platforms

• Common Building Blocks

Common Building BlocksThe Fuel for Product Platforms

• Customer Insights

• Product Technologies

• Manufacturing Technologies

• Organizational Capabilities

Product Platforms

• Subsystem Interfaces

• Platform Leverage

• Evolving Entities

• Manufacturing

Platform Strategies

• Niche-Specific Platforms

• Horizontal Leverage

• Vertical Scaling

• Beachhead Strategy

Niche-Specific Platforms

• Common in Industry

• Perfect Product for Each New Customer

• Complex Manufacturing

• Fragmented/Risk Losing Modularity

• Least Effective Application

Horizontal Leverage

• Subsystems Leverage from Niche to Niche

• Streams of Products to Related Customers

• Easier to Manufacture

• Less Time, Lower Cost, Better Performance

• Spread of Flaws in Key Subsystems

Vertical Scaling

• Scale to Particular Market Segments

• Top-Down or Bottom-Up

• Requires More Flexibility

• High-End Needs vs. Low-End Costs

• Weaknesses of Key Subsystems

Modular Function Deployment

1) Define Customer Requirements

2) Select Technical Solutions

3) Generate Module Concept

4) Evaluate Module Concept

5) Optimize Modules

Step 1: Define CustomerRequirements

The Army’s needs: Product Properties:transportation modularizationrecovery mechanism sizedurable parts weighteasy maintenance shapelong life materialsafe powerfiring platformprotect soldiers (from weather and enemy)

Step 2: Select TechnicalSolutions

Transport Soldiers

Provide Protection(basic and supplementaryarmor / canvas)

Provide Power(selected engine)

Provide Durability(selected materials)

Step 3: Generate ModuleConcept

The Product Platform

M998 Utility Truck

Derive the Modules:WinchArmor ProtectionTow Launcher PlatformM60/MK19 PlatformsShelter4 Litter Ambulance2 Litter AmbulanceMaintenance Module

Step 4: Evaluate ModuleConcept

HMMWVuses BaseUnit Assembly

Step 5: Optimize / Implement Modules

• Test / develop the module specifications.

• Complete detailed design work for each module.

• Manufacture and assemble modules on the product platform.

M998 Utility Truck

Step 5: Applied Modules

Step 5: Applied Modules

Conclusion

• Why do we create modular products?

• Components Product Platforms

Product Families.

• The Army’s HMMWV.