Introduction to assembly features: an illustrated synthesis methodology

The article is an introduction to a new concept of assembly features able to support intelligent design and manufacturing of complex products. An assembly feature is defined as a generic solution referring to two groups of parts that need to be related by a relationship so as to solve a design problem. The concept of assembly feature encompasses the notions of design intent, technical function, technological solution and manufacturing process as well as it provides a justification for the use of part features. After a general introduction and a justification of the interest of assembly features, some guidelines are provided to show how assembly features can be characterized in any domain of application concerned with engineering design of assemblies. As an illustration of the proposed methodology, the concept is finally applied to the engineering phase of aeroplane design.