Glossary · Manufacturing systems
Modular production
Also known as: Modular manufacturing, Modular plant
German: Modulare Produktion
In manufacturing and process engineering, modular production is the construction of production systems from standardized, self-contained modules with defined mechanical, electrical and information interfaces, so that the system can be configured, expanded or rearranged quickly.
- Manufacturing systems
- Process industry
In one sentence
Modular production builds production systems from standardized modules with defined interfaces, so they can be reconfigured quickly.
Example
A pharmaceutical plant combines dosing, reaction and filtration modules, each with its own control, orchestrated through the Module Type Package.
How it applies
- Engineering: Modules bring their own automation and describe their services and interfaces. In the process industry, the Module Type Package (MTP, VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658) standardizes how modules are integrated into a process orchestration layer.
- Commissioning: Pre-tested modules shorten commissioning, but interfaces between modules still need integration testing, especially for safety functions spanning modules.
- Safety and compliance: Combining modules can create an assembly of machinery or a new plant configuration that needs its own risk assessment. A module being compliant doesn't make the combination compliant.
- Documentation: Each module needs documentation of its services, interfaces and safety functions. At system level, document the configuration, the interfaces between modules and how changes to the arrangement are controlled.
Modular production vs. reconfigurable manufacturing
Modularity is the design principle; a Reconfigurable manufacturing system uses it to change capacity or functionality over time.