Improving decision making by simulating and visualizing geometrical variation in non-rigid assemblies

Customer demands on quality appearance as well as economical demands for shorter development time are increasing. Virtual concept verification is, therefore, becoming more and more important since an increasing number of decisions are based on digital models. This paper discusses visual quality appearance and presents the concept of geometrical and visual sensitivity along with tools for analysis and evaluation. Especially, a tool for non-rigid variation simulation and visualization is presented. It allows manufacturing and assembly deformations to be visualized with high level of realism long before any physical prototypes are being made. Different design concepts can thereby be compared in realistic environments. The quality of decisions based on digital models can thereby be improved. (C) 2008 CIRP.