A Systematic Approach to Coupling Disposal of Product Family Design (Part 2): Case Study

In this part of the work, we described the application of coupling disposal of product family design proposed in Part 1 on bridge crane. Firstly, axiomatic design theory was utilized as framework to analyse functional requirements and select suitable design parameters with “zigzagging” mode. Secondly, the trolley of bridge crane and its safety protection devices were considered as a real case to be analysed in detail. According to the relation between functional requirements and design parameters, axiomatic design matrix of bridge crane was built, and design structure matrix was constructed. Considering comprehensive correlation degree among design parameters including their functional relevance, connection relevance and physical relevance, we clustered and grouped design parameters into modules with less dependent degree in design structure matrix. Then coupling incidence matrix of product family design for the trolley is established, and it is discussed on the coupling inside modules and the coupling among design parameters with different modules. According to analysis on incidence influence degree, implementation sequence of modules is identified and corresponding decoupling method is proposed.