A heuristic configuration solving process planning method for mechanical product configuration by imitating the crystal crystallization process

Abstract

Configuration design is a process of composing customized product from a set of predefined component types with a set of well-defined rules which decide how items can be selected and combined. The configuration solving process is to instantiate all component types into instances. However, the configurator faces a problem of how to determine the instantiation order of component types in the configuration solving process. An unreasonable instantiation order may reduce the accuracy of the configuration result and extend the time required to finish the configuration. In response to the above problem, a heuristic configuration solving process planning method by imitating the crystal crystallization process (CCP) was proposed. According to the product configuration rules, the frequent itemset mining algorithm was used to mine the correlation between the attribute parameters of product configuration unit. By imitating the CCP and utilizing the calculated coupling strength, the configurator will determine a suitable instantiation sequence for component types. This method has been applied in the GB10 elevator produced by Canny Elevator. It is found that the configuration accuracy has been improved and the consumption of time has been reduced.

Operationalizing Mass Customization in Manufacturing SMEs—A Systematic Literature Review

“…Figure 12 shows the six factors to be studied to analyze how these factors impact the operationalization of mass customization. Modularity is a key success factor in the migration to mass customization [62,85]. Modularity makes it possible to reduce costs and engineering time while being able to meet the specificity of customer demand [85].…”

“…However, SMEs often face restricted access to external financing due to the lack of financial history and their inability to guarantee results [88]. Since they are often faced with funding refusals due to the risk of carrying out such a Modularity is a key success factor in the migration to mass customization [62,85]. Modularity makes it possible to reduce costs and engineering time while being able to meet the specificity of customer demand [85].…”

“…Since they are often faced with funding refusals due to the risk of carrying out such a Modularity is a key success factor in the migration to mass customization [62,85]. Modularity makes it possible to reduce costs and engineering time while being able to meet the specificity of customer demand [85]. On several occasions in the literature, the importance of product modularity was advanced as a way to reduce the complexity of making an assembled product [75].…”