Application of Generic CAD Models for Supporting Feature Based Assembly Process Planning

The paper discusses a novel geometric reasoning method that supports the definition of assembly sequence planning models departing from the CAD models of the parts involved. Specifically, by means of the presented algorithms that use a so-called collision point cloud approach one can determine the precise disassembly directions of parts having complex polygon mesh models. This information can be applied when defining assembly planning models both for suggesting precedence constraints as well as parameters for assembly operations. The presented heuristic algorithm was able to overcome certain shortcomings of earlier methods working with polygon mesh representations, and proved to be successful both in handling abstract and real-life industrial use cases. Working examples from both categories are presented in the paper.