A literature review on multitype platforming and framework for future research

With intense global competition, many manufacturing companies pursue a platform strategy to develop diverse products belonging to a family, while utilizing available manufacturing resources. In the past, enormous efforts have been made in investigating product platforms, which exploit platforming potential at the design stage. Researchers have recently discussed new platform concepts, which capitalize on platforming potential at different product family development stages, in addition to investigating more issues pertaining to product platforms. These efforts contribute to the continuous progress on platforming research. This study provides a review of progress on platforming. It identifies and reviews the available platform concepts, including flexible platforms, function-technology platforms, process platforms, and process parameter platforms. It also highlights several trends in platforming research, thus providing an overall picture of platform based-product family development requirements and the corresponding solutions. Based on the review, a framework is presented for future research. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.