An assembly-oriented product design methodology to develop similar assembly operations in a mixed-product assembly line
Year: 2017
Editor: Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos
Author: Asadi, Narges; Jackson, Mats; Augustsson, Per; Fundin, Anders
Series: ICED
Institution: 1: Mälardalen University, Sweden; 2: FlexQube, Sweden
Section: Design for X, Design to X
Page(s): 131-140
ISBN: 978-1-904670-93-3
ISSN: 2220-4342
Abstract
With the growing demands for product variety, Mixed-Product Assembly Lines (MPALs) as an effective means of creating product variety are recently increasing in manufacturing companies. However, handling different products from distinct product families creates high complexity in performing assembly operations in an MPAL. The elevated complexity, calls for increased similarity between assembly operations in an MPAL which requires product design changes accordingly. Hence, the objective of this paper is to suggest an assembly-oriented product design methodology to increase similar assembly operations for various products cross-product families. The proposed methodology uses Interface Diagram, a product architecture modelling tool, for comparing assembly operations cross-product families, suggesting an assembly-oriented design, and communicating it to designers. The methodology has been developed by conducting a case study in heavy vehicle manufacturing industry. The results highlight a visual approach towards establishing a common language between assembly and design teams to consider the requirements of an MAPL in product design.
Keywords: Design methodology, Mixed-product assembly system, Product architecture, Requirements