Abstract: Generalized modular design method is proposed to solve the limitation of traditional modular design. The application domains of modular design are extended because parametric design and variational analysis methods are introduced into generalized modular design. It can be applied for developing not only products and product family planning which have ob-vious hierarchy but also mechanical products with complex work conditions and heavy load, whose strength and rigidity design is necessary, and whose hierarchy is uncertain. The the-ory of generalized modular design, generalized product plat-form, product family planning based on combination of gener-alized modules and based on generalized product platform are systematically represented. At last, an example of generalized modular design and product family planning of hydraulic press machines is given to illustrate the theory and methodology of generalized modular design.

Key words: Generalized modular design, Generalized product platform, Parametric design, Product family