Cost Effect Of Component Commonality: Manufacturing Cost Perspective

The aim of the paper is to analyze the measurement of component commonality and its cost effect from the manufacturing cost perspective. The unit of analysis is a new subassembly, i.e. a motor support of a roll conveyor. Component commonality is discussed using three evolutionary stages of the motor support. The researchers have provided cost information for the product development team and have also been questioning the cost efficiency of the proposed constructions. Despite its simplicity, the selected case subassembly illustrates the problematics related to component commonality - analyses at different levels give contradictory results. Detailed analysis of the case subassembly increases the understanding of the phenomena involved and highlights the importance of multiple levels of analysis when discussing component commonality.