Modular architecture principles – MAPs: a key factor in the development of sustainable open architecture products

ABSTRACT

Modularity is one of the most useful tools employed in the product development process. Regarding functionality, the use of modules is common to generate flexible platforms to manufacture products and product families that require functional variations. In the current globalized market, the mass individualization or personalization is the preferred production model that delivers cost-effectiveness and satisfaction at the level of the market of one. In this model, the modularity is employed as a powerful concept applied not only for the manufacture but also for the use and final disposal stages, in which the design of modules provides functionalities and features that satisfy a variety of specifications for different market segments. Despite the existence of approaches in modularity and its usefulness in product development, it is possible to identify a lack of analysis of modular and open architecture to enhance the sustainability performance of products regarding strategies to diminish adverse impacts during their lifecycle. This paper provides an analysis of the influence and potential of Modular Architecture Principles – MAPs in the sustainable design of open architecture products. Additionally, lifecycle considerations are analysed to identify and propose strategies that enforce the sustainability performance of products concerning personalization from early design stages

Abbreviations: MAPs: Modular Architecture Principles; FMS: Flexible Manufacturing System; RMS: Reconfigurable Manufacturing System; EOL: End Of Life; LCA: Life Cycle Assessment; QFD: Quality Function Deployment; DFMA: Design For Manufacturing And Assembly

KEYWORDS:

• Modular architecture principles
• modularity
• open architecture
• personalization
• sustainability
• design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by COLCIENCIAS through the Ph.D. National Scholarship Program No 617-2. Contract UN-OJ-2014-24072.

Notes on contributors

Jaime Alberto Mesa

Jaime Alberto Mesa Associate Professor at Universidad Tecnológica de Bolivar, Cartagena, Colombia. Received his B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana,Montería, Colombia and hisMSc. and Ph.D. (Summa Cum Laude) in Mechanical Engineering from Universidaddel Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia. His research interests include sustainable design, design methods, circular economy, modular design and reconfiguration, Materials Science, additive manufacturing, eco-design and engineering education.

Iván Esparragoza

Iván Esparragoza Professor of Engineering and Director ofEngineering Technology andCommonwealth Engineering at Penn State Brandywine, PA, USA. Received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia. And his M.Sc.and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University, Miami, FL.His research interests include sustainability, global engineering design, and education.

Heriberto Maury

Heriberto Maury Professor ofMechanical Engineering at Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla Colombia. Received his B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte and hisPh.D. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, Spain. Dr. Maury’s research is focused on the areas of product design, concurrent engineering, material handling systems, sustainability, reconfiguration, and modular design.