A metaheuristic approach for selecting a common platform for modular products based on product performance and manufacturing cost

摘要

A known strategy to implement Mass Customization is Product Modularization. To take advantage of the benefits of modularity, the selection of a common platform is required. This selection must be done with optimization criteria based on functionality and economics. In this paper we propose metaheuristic procedures to solve the problem of selecting a common platform for a modular product. This selection is based on an aggregate objective function that combines product performance and manufacturing cost. The problem is divided into two hierarchical problems that must be solved sequentially. The mathematical models have a nonlinear integer formulation. Because of the computational complexity to solve optimally these models, metaheuristic procedures are proposed to solve each sub-problem. These procedures are based on Scatter Search and Tabu Search. A case study is presented with a small instance that is solved with these procedures and by total enumeration. The results of the metaheuristic procedures coincide with the optimal values found by total enumeration. The run times are reasonable and it is expected a greater benefit for a larger instance with similar results quality.