Computer-Aided Product Analysis in Assembly-Planning

Abstract A system is described, which helps the assembly planner in the first stage of the planning process of flexible automated assembly systems, the so-called product-analysis. The determination of all assembly-relevant product data is undertaken by evaluating a CAD-database and extracting the necessary information. The system analyses the product structure and determines the sequence of operations necessary for the planning of the future assembly line. The use of the above extracted information can also help to determine the flexibility of an assembly line in what concerns assembling different variants of a product.