Data-mining-based methodology for the design of product families

Companies design and manufacture widely diversified products to satisfy the needs of their customers and markets. Two issues important to achieving this aim are discussed. The first concerns adequate diversity for a particular market. The second concerns the management and manufacture of products within an acceptable lead time and an acceptable cost. The two issues are examined with a methodology for the design of products families. This methodology is based on a data-mining approach and it focuses on the analysis of functional requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of International Journal of Production Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)