Modular Product Architecture for Sustainable Flexible Manufacturing in Industry 4.0: The Case of 3D Printer and Electric Toothbrush

Tufail Habib, Muhammad Omair, Muhammad Salman Habib, Muhammad Zeeshan Zahir (), Sikandar Bilal Khattak, Se-Jin Yook (), Muhammad Aamir and Rehman Akhtar
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Tufail Habib: Department of Industrial Engineering, Jalozai Campus, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muhammad Omair: Department of Industrial Engineering, Jalozai Campus, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muhammad Salman Habib: Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore 54890, Pakistan
Muhammad Zeeshan Zahir: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Sikandar Bilal Khattak: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Se-Jin Yook: School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
Muhammad Aamir: School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
Rehman Akhtar: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar 25000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-29

Abstract: Integrating sustainability, a flexible manufacturing system, and Industry 4.0 resolves the issues of fluctuating market demand arising from customization requirements. Modular products allow flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and optimize resource utilization. In this study, a method was proposed and applied to two products, i.e., a 3D printer and an electric toothbrush featuring modular architecture, multiple product versions, and customization, to contribute to the development of sustainable flexible manufacturing systems. From the results of the two case studies nine modules were identified that contain specific functions and related interface information. From these modules, one platform was developed that comprises common entities used in all variants of the products. This platform was further extended to product families. From the modules, product architecture was developed that supports the product and process relationships. These relationships can be developed concurrently, enabling product features to be linked to the manufacturing setup. Thus, when a modular architecture is developed, the factory has to be reorganized accordingly, or reconfiguration is possible. Hence, the main aim of the research was to develop modular product architecture to identify product and process relationships for a sustainable flexible manufacturing system.

Keywords: mass customization; modular product architecture; sustainable flexible manufacturing system; Industry 4.0; module indication matrix (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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