ASSEMBLABILlTY AND SERVICEABILlTY IN A CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT CASE

Applying DFA is often considered to improve serviceability, or at least increase the potential for improved serviceability. However, it is not self-evident that if a product is easy to assemble it is also easily serviced. In this paper assemblability and serviceability aspects in the conceptual design stage arc considered. The product in the case study is a stand alone energy producing unit, size of which is approximately I000 x l500 x 2000 millimetres. Altogether five variations were evaluated by giving ratings on realisation of asscemblability and serviceability guidelines to the concepts subjectively. The results show correlation between the assemblability and serviceability, but also exceptions occur. The exceptions are related to component accessibility in assembly or service operations, and the difference in the nature of factory assembly and field service operations.