Internet-based Customer-driven Product Design For Mass Customization

On the basis of analyzing product family design methods for mass customization, the key technologies, system architecture and realization methods of product family design are studied in this paper. Then, taking MK2110 internal grinder as an example, Internet-based and customer-driven product customization system is developed. The main research work and achievements in the paper are as follows:(1) The character and shortcomings of exited methods of product family design are analyzed. And then the realization methods and key technologies of modular-based product family design method and scale-based design method are studied. Combining the two methods, a new product family design method named scale-based modular design is proposed. The key of this method is to identify common components, individual modular and scale factors. Considering customers'requirements now and future, products are classified into common components and individual modular. Meanwhile, design variables of all products in the family are analyzed and calculated to determine common parameters and scale factors. Through changing the values of scale factors and replacing or removing individual modular, different products are developed in the family.(2) During the process of product family model design, CDSP (Compromise Decision Support Problem) is utilized to determine scale factors. Combining QFD (Quality Function Deploy), AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and others, the mathematic model of product family design are built. And then the functional model, principle model and structural model are set up.(3) An Internet-based and customer-driven product customization system is proposed. The architecture, network topological structure and technology structure of the prototype are studied in details. CBR (Case-based Reasoning), Socket and SolidWorks API and so on are utilized to realize customization product quickly.(4) Product family architecture tree-based cost estimation method for customization product is presented. The products of family are divided into common components and individual components. The latter are classified into outsourcing parts, standard parts, similar parts and new parts. The key of cost estimation for customization product is the similar parts and new parts cost estimation. Different cost estimation methods are used for different parts.(5) On the basis of as mentioned theories previously, Internet-based internal grinder customization system is realized. Customers can join in the design process really and expediently. The system provides some functional modular including product browse, product customization, orders management, system management and so on. The model ofproduct in the form of VRML is exhibited to customers finally.