What Are Modular Systems And Why Are They Becoming So Popular?

The advancement of 3D laser scanning could help tackle the UK’s shortage of housing, PBC Tech reports. This is because modular homes are often more affordable per square metre than houses built on site and they are more environmentally efficient.

Modular homes are built in a modular home building facility where stringent quality control measures are applied. They are built in sections, or modules, and then assembled on site.

The advent of modular systems can be seen in various industries, such as construction and tech. But why has it gained so much popularity?

What Are Modular Systems?

Modular design is a design principle that divides a structure into smaller parts, called modules. These modules can be created independently, and therefore they can be altered, replaced and exchanged with other modules.

Modular designs are often made with specific criteria and specifications so that modules can maintain their compatibility with others.

How Are Modular Systems Different From Traditional Systems?

Modular systems are created to allow users to customise and maintain structures with ease. An example is that of a modular PC – a laptop with modular hardware. Users can customise and upgrade the keyboard or ports as they wish, as long as they use modules that are compatible with the device.

Contrastingly, traditional, non-modular systems (such as a standard PC) are not as easy to customise or maintain, and often requires the entire structure to be serviced or updated as issues arise or user needs change.
 

Why Have Modular Systems Gained Popularity?

Modular systems have gained popularity because of the many advantageous features it offers.

Modular system designs provide more flexibility, scalability, maintainability, and reusability than traditional systems. Modules can be changed and adjusted as the needs of the user changes, without compromising the rest of the structure.

Modular systems can also easily handle an increased workload because they can be replicated and distributed across various platforms or nodes. Modular systems also simplify efforts to debug and upgrade different parts of the structure, as any issues can be isolated and are not dependant on other modules.

Modular systems also enable manufacturers and developers to create new systems and features by leveraging existing modules.

What Are The Benefits Of Modular Systems?

The main benefit of modular systems is that they are easy to customise according to user needs and preferences.

Secondly, modular products are faster to assemble and release on the market than traditional systems. Each modular component is designed, made, and tested individually (which saves a lot of time) to then finally be assembled to make a final product or structure.

Modular systems are also cost efficient, since manufacturers typically save money because of shorter development cycles and the reusability of modular components.

Since modules are usually reusable, they also contribute to sustainability efforts. They can be used in many similar products as long as they are compatible, reducing waste rates.

Finally, modules can be upgraded individually, reducing the need to upgrade the entire structure. For example, replacing and upgrading a modular PC’s keyboard can be much more efficient than upgrading an entire unit.

To conclude, modular systems offer many benefits across industries, from construction to tech. Modularity allows users to easily upgrade, replace and customise structures as their needs and preferences evolve, and can be more time- and cost effective to maintain compared to traditional systems.