CO-EVOLUTION OF PRODUCT FAMILIES AND ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS by April M. Bryan A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Mechanical Engineering) in The University of Michigan 2008 Doctoral Committee: Professor Shixin Jack Hu, Co-Chair Professor Yoram Koren, Co-Chair Professor Panos Y. Papalambros Associate Professor Jionghua Jin Jeffrey Abell, General Motors Corporation