**3.3. QFD-KB supporting configuration of a motoreducer**

An example presents a configuration of a motoreducer used as a feeder device driving gear. Based on the algorithm presented in **Figure 4**, the evaluation of product configuration items was developed.

The first stage of the algorithm was focused on definition of feeder device driving gear characteristic which was placed on the left part of QFD matrix (**Figure 9**).

Product customization takes time needed to product redesign and manufacturing. Work time of specified tasks related to product development and manufacturing is one of the most important criteria which contribute to offer attractiveness. Delivery time could be assessed based on work time of product technical documentation and the manufacturing standard

Work time can be estimated with the use of work measurement methods which determine the

• Synthesis and analytical estimation (in this method it is necessary to break down the tasks

• Analytical estimation (the time required to complete a task is build up from synthetic data).

• A method based on artificial intelligence [42–44]. In case of product redesign, missing data

Work time estimation of the manufacturing process needs the process structure and planning

Scheduling the tasks to redesign product is focused on fixing the project deadline. For that

Gantt chart is a type of bare chart which illustrates project task order in function of time;

Project evaluation and review technique (PERT) is focused on analyzing tasks involved in the project and enabled fixing the minimum time needed to complete the project. This method

Critical path method (CPM) is a method which calculates the longest path in the project task network, fixing the shortest time to complete the project with the use of deterministic dura-

Graphical evaluation and review technique (GERT) use both probabilistic network and prob-

An example presents a configuration of a motoreducer used as a feeder device driving gear. Based on the algorithm presented in **Figure 4**, the evaluation of product configuration items

*3.2.5. Scheduling tasks related to product configuration: confirmation of product configuration*

Another approach presented network-based methods such as PERT, CPM and GERT.

purpose methods such as Gantt chart, PERT, CPM and GERT can be used.

preparation.

into elements).

parameters.

length of time to complete a given task. Work measurement methods include:

64 Product Lifecycle Management - Terminology and Applications

duration of each activity is shown.

tion of project tasks.

was developed.

uses probabilistic duration of project tasks.

abilistic estimation of project task duration.

**3.3. QFD-KB supporting configuration of a motoreducer**

• Time study (the time of manufacturing tasks is measured).

can be estimated with the use of ANN [46, 47].

In the second stage of the algorithm, target motoreducer characteristics were specified and entered to the bottom row in the QFD matrix.

The next stage of product configuration is concerned with identifying the product structure and product decomposition and selecting the configuration items (**Figure 10**). A too detailed product decomposition causes costs, but rough product decomposition causes risk related to product characteristic failure.

Characteristics of configuration item (components, modules, parts) alternatives of feeder device driving gear are presented in **Table 3**.

An example of *wkzt* coefficient calculation and s*kzt* grade determination for configuration items of feeder device driving gear was presented in **Tables 4** and **5**. Assessment of configuration items alternatives used the rules presented in **Table 6**.

A comparison of configuration item alternatives is presented in **Figure 11**.

The range of change in product structure depends on, among others, the type of function introduced to the product. In the case of a motoreducer, product function can include, e.g., enabling assembly in a particular workplace, transmitting torque, etc. Changes on functions related to product assembly in a particular workplace can, for example, be focused on changing output shaft diameter.


**Figure 9.** Attribute target value of feeder device driving gear.

**Figure 10.** Feeder device driving gear structure.


**Table 3.** Feeder device driving gear—Configuration item alternative characteristics.


The presented product configuration algorithm helps to identify product attributes and com-

**Power Grade Output speed Grade Ratio Grade Overall grade**

Configuration of a Customized Product http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.79523 67

<sup>11</sup> 33 4 83 2 18 2 2,67

<sup>12</sup> 32 4 50 1 20 2 2,33

<sup>13</sup> 33 4 94 3 16 3 3,33

<sup>14</sup> 35 3 56 2 18 2 2,33

<sup>21</sup> 30 5 5

<sup>22</sup> 35 3 3

<sup>23</sup> 40 2 2

<sup>24</sup> 35 3 3

**Assessment indicator Assessment grade**

If wkzt ≤ 5 Then skzt = 5

 < wkzt ≤ 10 skzt = 4 < wkzt ≤ 20 skzt = 3 < wkzt ≤ 50 skzt = 2 < wkzt skzt = 1

• The product can be divided into configuration items which are components, modules or

• Enterprise staff is experienced in product adaptation according to individual customer

pare and select product components. It is based on the following assumptions [32]:

parts with a modular structure.

**Figure 11.** Configuration item assessment in QFD matrix.

**Configuration items Alternatives Attributes grade**

t

t

t

t

t

t

**Table 6.** An example of assessment rules.

**Table 5.** Configuration item variants, partial assessment *skzt*.

Toothed gear t

Engine t

requirements.

• There exist some alternatives of the configuration items.

**Table 4.** Configuration items—Indicator of *wkzt* calculation.


**Table 5.** Configuration item variants, partial assessment *skzt*.


**Table 6.** An example of assessment rules.

**Configuration items Alternatives Attributes**

t

t

t

t

t

t

**Configuration items Alternatives Attributes wkzt coefficient calculation**

<sup>21</sup> 30 0,00

<sup>22</sup> 35 16,67

<sup>23</sup> 40 33,33

<sup>24</sup> 35 16,67

**Table 3.** Feeder device driving gear—Configuration item alternative characteristics.

t

t

t

t

t

t

**Table 4.** Configuration items—Indicator of *wkzt* calculation.

<sup>21</sup> 30

<sup>22</sup> 35

<sup>23</sup> 40

<sup>24</sup> 35

Toothed gear t

**Figure 10.** Feeder device driving gear structure.

66 Product Lifecycle Management - Terminology and Applications

Engine t

Toothed gear t

Engine t

**Power Speed Ratio**

<sup>11</sup> 33 83 18

<sup>12</sup> 32 50 20

<sup>13</sup> 33 94 16

<sup>14</sup> 35 56 18

**Power** *w<sup>k</sup>***<sup>1</sup> Speed** *w<sup>k</sup>***<sup>2</sup> Ratio** *w<sup>k</sup>***<sup>3</sup>**

<sup>11</sup> 33 10,00 83 23,15 18 28,57

<sup>12</sup> 32 6,67 50 53,70 20 42,86

<sup>13</sup> 33 10,00 94 12,96 16 14,29

<sup>14</sup> 35 16,67 56 48,15 18 28,57


**Figure 11.** Configuration item assessment in QFD matrix.

The presented product configuration algorithm helps to identify product attributes and compare and select product components. It is based on the following assumptions [32]:

