Leveraging Modularity and Platforms Through Design

Companies can struggle managing proliferating product variants. Modular and platform-based design can provide breakthrough advantages.

DFX, or Design for X, refers to a systematic approach to designing products and processes to achieve specific objectives or characteristics. The "X" represents various targets like manufacturability, reliability, usability, etc. DFX helps companies optimize their products across the entire product lifecycle.

DFX represents a holistic approach to product development that optimizes the design against multiple objectives. At Boston Engineering, DFX is a core part of our product development process. We focus on several key DFX areas that align with our expertise:

• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Design for Cost (DFC)
• Design for Testability (DFT)
• Design for Reliability (DFR)
• Design for Serviceability/Maintainability (DFS)
• Design for Usability (DFU)
• Design for Modularity (DFMo)

Learn more about Design for X (DFX) at Boston engineering: Boston Engineering Design for X

Design for Modularity (DMFo) involves creating interchangeable components that can be mixed and matched into product variants. 

Key DFR principles include:

• Identifying common subsystems, modules and interfaces to leverage across a product family
• Defining modular architectures that balance flexibility, performance and cost
• Utilizing common components and production processes where possible
• Designing interfaces between modules to enable field upgrades and enhancements

Product Platform Design applies modularity to develop an adaptable product foundation for derivative offerings.

Key practices include:

• Maximizing platform commonality while minimizing customization
• Planning platform evolution to meet future market needs
• Aligning technology roadmaps, architecture, and interfaces
• Balancing platform robustness with design flexibility

Example Projects:

• Developing a modular architecture for next-generation test equipment supporting hundreds of hardware/software configurations
• Evolving an electronics product platform over 5 generations to enable rapid innovation and new offerings
  
  

Where Problems Arise

Deficiencies in modularity and platforms lead to:

• Proliferation in components and production processes
• Duplicate development efforts across similar products
• Increased costs from managing high variability
• Slow-to-market derivatives unable to meet demands
• Difficulty upgrading field units or developing next-gen products

Involving DFMo experts early in design to prevent these issues.

DFMo experts like Boston Engineering provide:

• Proven tools to define and evaluate modular architectures
• Insights on industry best practices for platforms and derivatives
• Skills to balance customization, cost, quality, and speed
• Methods to project cost/benefit of design reuse
• Guidance to implement modular design principles across the organization
  
  

 Understanding the Importance of a DFX approach

Applying Design for X (DFX) methodologies upfront in product development optimizes the entire lifecycle by improving manufacturability, testability, reliability, usability, and other critical characteristics. This avoids costly redesigns later on, facilitates high-quality products that satisfy customers, reduces manufacturing and service costs, and supports flexibility through modularity and platforms. The holistic perspective of DFX drives efficient, cost-effective delivery of successful products that provide competitive advantage. Investing in DFX early pays dividends across the entire product lifespan.

Do you offer training on DFX for engineering teams?

Education is critical to effectively implement DFX principles. We provide training tailored to your engineers’ roles and product lines. This includes overall DFX methodology, deep dives into specific disciplines like design for reliability or manufacturability, and practical application workshops. Our hands-on approach combines real-world examples and case studies with tutorials on leading DFX software tools. The goal is building organizational DFX expertise and establishing repeatable processes that endure beyond individual projects. Investing in DFX knowledge pays dividends across your entire product portfolio.

Ready to Begin your next DFX Project? 

Impossible Challenge? Try Us. 

Selecting a partner to help you complete your design project is a valuable option to reduce project duration and save money.    

The Boston Engineering product development system encompasses DFX to ensure a smooth product launch and success in the marketplace.  Boston Engineering has DFX knowledge and experience to address aspects and values of a product such as manufacturability, test, reliability, safety, serviceability, cost, and compliance with industry standards and government regulations.