Abstract: In order to meet the reusing requirements of mass customization (MC), the new demands of the parts classification and coding are proposed. Focusing on classification characteristics, the general process of parts classification and coding is discussed, such as data pretreatment, extraction of classification characteristics, definition of class and class hierarchy, and construction of multiple classification tree. The aim and the operation contents of all steps are described in detail. Based on the semantic relation, the classification model of parts is presented. The coding scheme is analyzed to meet the requirements of mass customization. Combined with the actual data in manufacturing enterprise, the operational and general method of parts classification and coding is achieved. The classification and coding system is developed on the basis of J2EE, which assists to construct the multiple classification tree and implement the coding scheme. The practice shows that the method realizes design reuse, simplifies retrieval process during configuration design and variation design and improves designer’s work efficiency.

Key words: Classification, Coding, Hierarchy structure, Mass customization, Reuse