R&D strategy study of customized furniture with film-laminated wood-based panels based on an analytic hierarchy process/quality function deployment integration approach

Abstract

Various methods exist for surface decoration of wood-based panels, with decorative plastic film emerging as a primary choice due to its environmental friendliness, design versatility, and ease of processing. To leverage the benefits of film-laminated wood-based panels, this study explored a research and development (R&D) strategy for customized kitchen cabinets made from these panels by the integration of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches. AHP was employed to construct a hierarchical model of user requirements. Utilizing QFD, user requirements were translated into technical characteristics, and their degree of importance were determined, which facilitated a precise understanding of the technical priority. Study findings indicated that user requirements for film-laminated wood-based panels prioritized practicality, safety, appearance, and durability. The AHP-QFD model employed mathematical methods to establish a connection between the user and technical levels, so as to excavate the focus and direction of the process flow from the preparation of the material to the design and manufacture of the product, and to provide a reference for the future application of similar environmentally friendly materials.