Rule-based generation of exploded-views and assembly sequences

Abstract

AbstractDirect planning of assembly sequences is either very complicated computationally, or requires an ‘expert’ user. This paper presents a new approach to the automatic generation of assembly plans which involves two phases. An ‘exploded’ layout of the assembled product is first found from its topological and geometric description by a graph-based procedure. Then, a knowledge-based technique is used for planning of selected assembly sequences by utilizing theoretical as well as heuristic knowledge of mechanical components and assembly processes. Besides serving the assembly planning phase, automatic generation of exploded-views could also be a most desirable feature of any computer-aided design system. An example demonstrates the application of the method to an actual product.