Automating the transformation from a prototype to a method of assembly

Abstract

This paper describes a new technique that utilizes the typical documentation of complex products to automate the development of the assembly method to be used for production. The technique describes a structured process that gets (as its input) the standard bill of materials (BOM) with specified additional data, and develops a detailed sequential method of assembly operation as its output. This sequential assembly method could be then further automated. The paper also discusses the gap between typical assembly instructions and structured sequential specifications necessary for automating the planning of the assembly method. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media.