A novel approach to the geometric feasibility analysis for fast assembly tool reasoning

A product assembly or disassembly is completed by means of proper tools. The selection of feasible tools is an important process in planning a complete assembly or disassembly sequence. A key tooling consideration in assembly or disassembly planning is to reason the available space for a tool application during the assembly or disassembly of a product. Currently, assembly tool reasoning about space mainly depends on simulation-based or user-interactive approaches because of its computational complexity. These approaches are inappropriate in dealing with various what-if scenarios regarding assembly or disassembly planning in a rapid product development. They also depend on users' expertise or experience in assembly or disassembly. This paper presents a novel approach to the geometric feasibility analysis for fast assembly tool reasoning. Techniques described in this paper are advantageous not only in the aid of generating a complete assembly or disassembly plan but also in the efficient support of such systems as computer-aided assembly planning (CAAP), design for manufacturing (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), design for disassembly (DFD), and computer-aided tool selection (CATS).