Modular Furniture Design
Introduction
Modular design — or “modularity in design” — is the design based on the reticular modulation of spaces that allows optimization of construction time and because they are transportable, disassembly and reorganizable, they allow multiple functionalities to be promoted and their reuse by generating a new use different from the one for which they were manufactured.
A modular system can be characterized by the following paragraphs:.
In addition to reduction in costs (due to less customization, and less learning time), and flexibility in design, modularity offers other benefits such as incrementality (adding a new solution by simply plugging in a new module), and exclusion. Examples of modular systems are automobiles, computers and high-rise buildings. Previous examples are looms, railroad signaling systems, telephone exchanges, pipe organs, and electrical power distribution systems. Computers use modularity to overcome changing customer demands and make the manufacturing process more adaptable to change (see Modular Programming).[1][2].
Modular design is an attempt to combine the advantages of standardization (high volume usually equals low manufacturing costs) with those of customization. A negative aspect to modularity (and this depends on the degree of modularity) is that modular systems are not optimized for performance. This is generally due to the cost of placing interfaces between modules.
Modular vehicle design
Aspects of modular design can be seen in cars or other vehicles to the extent that there are certain parts of the car that can be added or removed without altering the rest of the car.
A simple example of modular car design is the fact that, while many cars come as a base model, upgrades will allow for modifications such as more power or seasonal tires, both of which do not require any changes to the car's unit, such as the chassis, steering or exhaust systems.
A high-performance modular vehicle is the Smart Fortwo. The Smart features interchangeable panels, through which a car can easily take on a different look.
A branch of modern railway cars, particularly trams and light regional railcars, also present a modular design assembled from modules by which the functionality of the units can be adapted to demand, that is, the modular design allows increasing the passenger transport capacity by increasing its length. They also allow customization, being adaptable to the needs and characteristics of any type of city.