Modular Design and Its Application to Overhead Traveling Crane

In this paper, the method of modular design of a crane is presented. First, the main customer groups and their expectations of the new product are confirmed. Then, the main function of the new product is decomposed into smaller function modules. Based on these function modules, the relativity of function modules is analyzed and guantifzed. By the entropy method, the best scheme is selected through the evaluation of design, manufacture, assembly and maintenance, etc. Finally, a product platform is set up by analyzing the degree of influence of the function modules on customer needs. The storage format of a function module and the structure of the function module database are also investigated. The, function of a model is set as the keyword in the function model database, and a module-selecting algorithm based on fuzzy pattern recognition is developed. The validity of the modular design method presented is verified by the design of an overhead traveling crane.