Modular platform design using mechanical bus architectures

Abstract

Modular products consist of detachable modules that can be manufactured, assembled, and serviced separately and may be reusable, recyclable, or remanufacturable upon product retirement. Platform-based products exploit commonalities between different products, often using modules to achieve these goals. In such products, the connections between modules must be designed to facilitate operations for parallel manufacturing, assembly as well as post product life activities. This paper presents the Mechanical Bus (MechBus) as a new concept for facilitating platform based product design. Core characteristics and features of platforms have been identified, and the Mechanical Bus design method has been chosen as a means of achieving these goals. A design method, with a supporting software implementation, for product platform design using Mechanical Buses has also been developed. Examples and a case study will be included to illustrate the Mechanical Bus and modular platform product design method.