An improved horizontally reversible plow design based on virtual assembly semantics and constraint

There exit model errors in the constructed Horizontally reversible plough (HRP) structure through Interference check technique (ICT). This is basically due to missing parts and geometric interference and, hence, has significantly adverse effects in improving HRP. In this paper an improved design to refine the three dimensional (3D) model of HRP is implemented by using Virtual assembly technology (VAT). To achieve this, the authors propose a combined virtual assembly semantics and constraint for assembly planning and simulation of HRP in the commercial software, e.g., SolidWorks. First, the assembly planning of HRP was captured with a semantics-based model, including spatial position, assembly orientation, type and parameters of the semantic entities; secondly, the assembly simulation of HRP was performed by using constraint-based VAT, e.g. component grasping, moving and releasing; finally, the obtained HRP model was verified through ICT again. The results demonstrate that not any model error exists in the refined 3D HRP model any longer and that semantics and constrain based VAT can support the interactive operation more effectively and accurately than those with geometric constraints. This technique was previously used for HRP model. Based on the refined 3D HRP model, the design improvement of Remote cylinder base (RCB), an important component of HRP, will be forthcoming in a future paper.