Research on assembly-oriented feature-hierarchy modeling method

To avoid different modeling disciplines resulting in the incongruous product data among different designers and different design processes for the same product, a feature-hierarchy product modeling method based on assembly unit (AU) was discussed. With this method both single parts and subassemblies in traditional assembly hierarchy model were united as a basic unit to form a product model based on assembly unit. By use of object-oriented technology, AU as information carrier, assembly information of different AU was organized and stored with same hierarchy architecture. In each AU, basic components could be conveniently found out by Class Inheritance method. Taking a ball-valve model as example, the modeling process of feature-hierarchy models oriented to assembly was detailed. The method could guarantee the consistency in assembly information of product design.