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Establishing assembly-oriented modular product architectures through a design for assembly expanded modular function deployment
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DOI：10.1080/09544828.2026.2680613.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Modular product design has become a strategic enabler for companies seeking to balance product variety, operational efficiency, and market responsiveness, making alignment between modular architecture and manufacturing considerations increasingly critical. Modular Function Deployment (MFD) is a widely adopted method for defining modular product architectures, yet it lacks systematic support for assembly considerations during early concept and system-level development. This limitation increases the risk of delayed production ramp-up and life cycle inefficiencies. This paper proposes a set of enhancements to MFD that integrate Design for Assembly (DfA) logic into architectural synthesis. The extended method introduces structured heuristics, assembly-oriented module drivers, a coded interface taxonomy, and quantitative metrics for assessing assembly feasibility and automation readiness. These additions preserve compatibility with standard MFD workflows while enriching decision-making with traceable, production-informed reasoning. An illustrative case study involving a handheld leaf blower demonstrates the method's usability and effectiveness. The redesigned architecture shows reduced assembly effort, simplified interfaces, and increased automation potential. By supporting early-stage evaluation of architectural alternatives through an assembly lens, the method enables faster transition to efficient volume production and provides a foundation for continuous improvement throughout the product life cycle.
Keywords:
Modular function deployment (MFD)
design for assembly (DfA)
product architecture
concept selection
interface design
Journal
J
IF:
3.4
Papers:
160
Citations:
0