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Reduction of product platform complexity by vectorial Euclidean algorithm

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Abstract

In traditional machine, equipment and devices design, technical solutions are practically independent, thus increasing designs cost and complexity. Overcoming this situation has been tackled just using designer’s experience. In this work, a product platform complexity reduction is presented based on a matrix representation of technical solutions versus product properties. This matrix represents the product platform. From this matrix, the Euclidean distances among technical solutions are obtained. Thus, the vectorial distances among technical solutions are identified in a new matrix of order of the number of technical solutions identified. This new matrix can be reorganized in groups with a hierarchical structure, in such a way that modular design of products is now more tractable. As a result of this procedure, the minimum vector distances are found thus being possible to identify the best technical solutions for the design problem raised. Application of these concepts is shown with two examples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CICATA-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco No. 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro MÉXICO, C.P. 76090, Mexico

    Israel Aguilera Navarrete & Alejandro A. Lozano Guzmán

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  1. Israel Aguilera Navarrete
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  2. Alejandro A. Lozano Guzmán
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Correspondence to Israel Aguilera Navarrete.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Ki-Hoon Shin

Israel Aguilera Navarrete received his Msc. in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in design, in Celaya Technological Institute, Mexico, in 2010. Since then, he is a doctoral student at National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico. He was project and regional leader, Product Engineer and Global Product Engineer for Whirlpool Mexico, Whirlpool Corporation and Whirlpool Brazil. He is currently Mechanical Design Engineer, developing special machines and facilities for PEMSA, TRW John Deere, Motorola, Delphi, Lexmark, PEPSI, Coca-Cola, Lear, GM, VW, and P&G. He is also involved in Software Development for Advanced Management logistics and material production planning and CAD for Gas L.P. projects running on a graphic environment.

Alejandro A. Lozano Guzmán received his MSc. in Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNAM, in 1976. He then received his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1981. In 1974, He worked in Aeronautical Communications Equipment Maintenance, International Center for Aeronautical Training. He was Mechanical Engineering Coordinator in Electrical Research Institute and Mexican Transportation Institute, and a Director in Queretaro State Council of Science and Technology. Currently he is Professor in National Polytechnic Institute. Prof. Lozano’s research and projects are related with kinematics and dynamics of machines, simulation of mechanical systems, heavy duty vehicles — pavement Interaction, vibration of power transmission mechanical systems, materials characterization, stress analysis and academy-industry-government interactions.

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Navarrete, I.A., Lozano Guzmán, A.A. Reduction of product platform complexity by vectorial Euclidean algorithm. J Mech Sci Technol 27, 3371–3379 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0859-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0859-3

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