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Modular design

Mechanical Engineering

Modular design is a design principle that divides a system into smaller, independent parts called modules, which can be created, modified, replaced or exchanged on their own or between different systems. It combines the cost benefits of standardization with the flexibility of customization, using functional partitioning into reusable modules with well defined, often industry standard interfaces. Its benefits include reduced cost from standardized parts, easier updates through swapping individual modules rather than replacing a whole product, extended product life, reduced production time and faster time to market, and it is applied to systems as varied as vehicles, buildings, space stations, computers, smartphones, televisions and weapons systems. A genuinely modular system demands more design expertise than a simpler platform system, since the designer must anticipate the directions in which flexibility will be needed from the start. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Core Principle
Modular design divides a system into smaller, independent modules that can be created, modified, replaced, or exchanged on their own within a system or between different systems. 1
FAQs

How is a modular system different from a monolithic one?

A modular system can have components added or replaced without redesigning the whole.

A monolithic structure is built as one piece, while a modular system is built from independent, interchangeable modules and is designed to be scalable, customizable and easily maintainable. Because each module is a separate unit, a component can be added or replaced without redesigning the entire system.
Connections

In Field

Source Modular design (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Modular design (Wikipedia)
  • Lead section
    a design principle that subdivides a system into smaller parts called modules, which can be independently created, modified, replaced, or exchanged
  • In Field: Mechanical Engineering, Categories
    Engineering concepts
  • In Group: Engineering Design and Analysis Methods, Introduction
    Modular design, or modularity in design, is a design principle that subdivides a system into smaller parts called modules (such as modular process skids), which can be independently created, modified, replaced, or exchanged with other modules or between different systems.
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