Merge-based design: A new method for managing variety and improving customization

Fabrice Alizon, Steven B. Shooter, Callida Williams, Timothy W. Simpson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

With markets becoming more and more fragmented, the management of product variety becomes even more critical. Variety management needs to be continuously improved, especially for highly customized products. Although new techniques are constantly being developed, variety is still an issue, and there is room for complementary assistance to manage variety in the final design. In this context, we propose an original method - merge-based design - to manage variety in a product family better. The proposed method targets the already-tailored (unique) components to reduce the number of variant components in the family. Merge-based design also facilitates customization by enabling designers to reduce non-beneficial variety within a family. The proposed method is described and then illustrated via a case study involving two existing internal structures from single-use cameras. Finally, to highlight for improving customization, a proposed new camera is created using the resulting common structure with a different exterior casing. This new method can be applied during detailed studies as well as in the early stages of the design process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2007 Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC2007
Pages573-580
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Event19th Int. Conf. Design Theory and Methodology and 1st Int. Conf. Micro and Nano Systems, presented at - 2007 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE2007 - Las Vegas, NV, United States
Duration: Sep 4 2007Sep 7 2007

Publication series

Name2007 Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC2007
Volume3 PART A

Other

Other19th Int. Conf. Design Theory and Methodology and 1st Int. Conf. Micro and Nano Systems, presented at - 2007 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas, NV
Period9/4/079/7/07

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Modeling and Simulation

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