Implications of k-best modular product design solutions to global manufacturing

The recent trends in modularization facilitate the automation of product design leveraging digital design repository in global manufacturing environment. This paper proposes a method to find k-best designs. We formulate the problem using integer programming to obtain the optimal solution, and use cutting planes to find the next best solution. k-best design solutions provide manufacturers or product designers with more holistic view on the feasible solution space than the sole optimal solution. The k-best solutions help suppliers assess the competitiveness of their modules. We show how k-best design solutions can be utilized in product design practices through a case study.