Modular design involves decomposing into standard modules + platform-based reuse (Source: arttechpress): Golden Rule: Standardized, repeatable modules (Source: arttechpress); Core: Module autonomy + plug-and-play capability (Source: Festo)—Note: Interface standardization is a prerequisite (Source: chinarpte).
I. Modular Approach
Decomposition: Breaking down complex systems into standard modules (Source: arttechpress);
Reuse: Reusable modules (Source: arttechpress); Cycle: Shortening the design cycle (Source: arttechpress); Maintenance: Enhanced maintainability (Source: arttechpress); Expansion: Scalability (Source: arttechpress)—Approach: Decomposition + Reuse (shortened cycles).
II. Module Independence
Autonomy: Each module operates autonomously as an independent functional unit (Source: Festo);
Connection/Disconnection: Connecting or disconnecting modules based on production capacity (Source: Festo); Interchangeability: Direct replacement of faulty modules (Source: Festo); Reconfiguration: Reconfiguring workstations by changing tooling rather than rebuilding the entire line (Source: Reeman); Expansion: Adjusting conveyor routes by adding or removing components (Source: Reeman)—Independence: Autonomy + Interchangeability (flexible maintenance).
III. Standardized Components
Aluminum Profiles: Aluminum profiles for the frame (Source: Engineering); Motors: General-purpose stepper/servo motors (Source: Engineering); Fieldbus: Modbus TCP/EtherCAT (Source: Engineering); Suction Cups: Standard vacuum suction cups (Source: Engineering); Customization: Avoid custom-machined parts (Source: Engineering)—Standard: Profiles + Motors + Fieldbus (Cost savings).
IV.
MTP Standards
MTP: Machine-readable Module Type Package description (Source: B&R); Plug & Produce: Plug & Produce integration (Source: Festo); OPC UA: OPC UA-based data exchange between modules and systems (Source: Festo); Multi-vendor: Cross-vendor module compatibility (Source: Siemens); One-click: One-click integration via SIMATIC MTP Integrator (Source: Siemens)—MTP: Plug & Produce (Multi-vendor interoperability).
V.
Interface Standards
Electrical: Standardized modular terminal blocks (Source: chinarpte); Voltage: Unified voltage levels and signal types (Source: chinarpte); Signals: Unified formats for common fieldbus protocols (Source: chinarpte); Speed: Standardized communication rates (Source: chinarpte); Diagnostics: Real-time collaborative remote diagnostics between modules (Source: chinarpte)—Interface: Terminals + Protocols + Rates (Three-way standardization).
VI. Design Process
Requirements: Aligning with customer technical specifications (Source: Douyin); Component Selection: Selecting standard parts to match load requirements (Source: Douyin); Refinement: Breaking down the machine into modules and refining dimensions (Source: Douyin); BOM: Managing the complete Bill of Materials (Source: Douyin);
Platform: Establishing a theoretical universal product platform (Source: Academic Journals)—Process: Requirements → Modules → BOM (three-step sequence).
VII. Procurement Recommendations
First, define modules (functional boundaries); second, use standards (profile components); third, specify interfaces (terminal protocols); fourth, adopt MTP (plug-and-play);
fifth, build platforms (platform-based reuse)—Modularization: Standards + Interfaces + Platforms (a three-pronged closed-loop approach).
