Modular Product Families

Chris 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 Maintenance

HQ, Department of the Army
 Outline
Introduction
Modularity and Product Platforms
Managing Product Platforms
Platform Management Strategies
Modular Function Deployment
HMMWV
Conclusion
 Introduction
Product 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 Platforms
The Power Tower

Market Applications
Product Platforms
Common Building Blocks
Common Building Blocks
The 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 Customer
Requirements
The Armys needs: Product Properties:
transportation modularization
recovery mechanism size
durable parts weight
easy maintenance shape
long life material
safe power
firing platform
protect soldiers
(from weather and enemy)
 Step 2: Select Technical
Solutions

Transport Soldiers

Provide Protection Provide Power Provide Durability

(basic and supplementary (selected engine) (selected materials)
armor / canvas)
 Step 3: Generate Module
Concept
Derive the Modules:
The Product Platform Winch
Armor Protection
Tow Launcher Platform
M60/MK19 Platforms
Shelter
4 Litter Ambulance
M998 Utility Truck 2 Litter Ambulance
Maintenance Module
Step 4: Evaluate Module
Concept

HMMWV
uses Base
Unit 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 Armys HMMWV.