Modularization in a housing platform for mass customization

The problem of combining production efficiency with flexible product offers in housing design is well known. The platform concept is applied in housing to support design and production with predefined solutions. Modularization can be useful to meet both client demands on flexibility and production requirements on standardisation. To identify the module drivers in housing, ten projects at one off-site housing company were analysed. Furthermore, the cycle time for the modules was recorded. Client, design, purchasing, production and suppliers have different module drivers. When module drivers concur, modules are identified by; identifying clear and few interfaces, the availability of a supplier, and the cycle time for the design and production of the module in relation to the production pace. The results from the case study further show that fixed geometry on modules is a less successful concept than parameterised modules in housing. The ability to outsource technical solutions increased, when the module drivers were combined with a long term relationship with the supplier. Variant modules were successfully applied in the studied company to respond to client demands. Further research is needed on how to configure generic modules.Godkänd; 2013; 20130930 (gusjan