Set-based models of product platform design and manufacturing processes

摘要

This paper describes an empirical test of the expressive capacity of set-based causal models representing design and manufacturing processes for product platforms. First, the paper gives a brief overview of set-based modeling techniques developed in earlier work. It describes the underlying assumptions of set-based causal models and defines elements of the tables and graphs that represent them. The paper then presents tabular and graphical representations of greatly simplified design or manufacturing processes for three varied industrial products: Sony Walkman personal stereos, the Xerox Document Center family, and Denso automotive panel meters. A short discussion follows eadch example and examines issues raised by the construction of each model. This empirical work supports development of methodology for constructing set-based models of general product development processes.