MODULARITY WITHIN A MATRIX OF FUNCTION AND FUNCTIONALITY (MFF)

DS 68-4: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 11), Impacting Society through Engineering Design, Vol. 4: Product and Systems Design, Lyngby/Copenhagen, Denmark, 15.-19.08.2011

Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Lindemann, U.
Author: Zadnik, Žiga
Series: ICED
Section: Product and Systems Design
Page(s): 122-132

Abstract

ive model and criteria for describing products, functions and functionalities. The purpose of using the modularity of the descriptive MFF is to improve the initial design process where only the most basic information is available, such as functions and functionalities, and to use the general functionality method, which is not quite possible with the morphological matrix. Modularity inside the MFF is based on mutual relation between the function and functionality, representing the data definition. In relation to the morphological matrix it is built and defined on the basis of a mathematical model and pre-set rules [1], not only on the basis of design intuition. This work represents a method of solving modularity with regard to shape and function. This should facilitate generating functional and shape structures of new and variant products. The developed MFF modularity model has been implemented into a prototype web application and confirmed on a concrete product – Active Lounge Chair 1.

Keywords: MODULAR DESIGN; FUNCTIONALITY MATRIX; FUNCTIONAL MODELLING; FUNCTIONAL MATRIX; DESIGN PROCESS

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