Development of Modular Product Architectures

Modular product architectures are used to optimize the tradeoff between product differentiation by increased fit to costumer needs and economies of scale augmented by product standardization. Especially the development and the ramp-up of modular product architectures requires a new development process due to the interdependencies in the product itself, the impact on the production process and the higher level of market requirements. Literature describes different methods for single aspects of the development of modular product architectures, like the modularization of products but does not give a approach which considers all the needed steps and requirements. Therefore, this paper describes an holistic approach for the development of modular product architectures in three stages. In the first phase the requirements for the modular product architecture, that depend on internal and external circumstances, are identified. Based on the requirements the modular product architecture standards are defined. Afterwards the modular product architecture including the modularity as well as the variety and the interfaces are defined.