Automatic Generation of Assembly Sequences

制造业自动化的趋势正在迅速扩大。机器接口、智能控制、CAD（计算机辅助设计）软件包和计算机辅助工艺规划正在增加。对自动生成装配序列以匹配和连接这些增长区域的需求更大。工艺规划需要经验丰富的工艺工程师的专业知识。这些工程师逐渐达到退休年龄，尚未获得经验的年轻工程师受到新技术需求的轰炸。装配序列的自动生成包括(a)构造实体几何形状和边界表示的提取，(b)确定每个装配步骤的类型，(c)所需工具的类型，(d)每个工具的尺寸及其工作包层，以及(e)检查装配过程中的碰撞、阻碍和间隙。一旦装配步骤确定，成本优化方法可用于生成可能的装配序列。然后，工程师可以根据他/她的本地装配环境，确定一个最佳的装配顺序。将为这些决策过程生成启发式算法。其结果是一个专家支持系统，该系统能够将3-D CAD（计算机辅助设计）零件和装配数据快速转换为一组可能的装配序列，以方便工艺工程师加快自动化装配系统的实施。

The trend towards automation in manufacturing is expanding fast. Machine interfaces, intelligent controls, CAD (computer aided design) packages and computer aided process planning are increasing. There is a greater demand for an automatic generation of assembly sequence to match and link these growing areas. Process planning requires the expertise of experienced process engineers. These engineers are gradually reaching retirement age and young engineers who have not yet gained the experience are bombarded by the demands of new technology. The automatic generation of assembly sequence involves (a) the extraction of constructive solid geometry and boundary representation, (b) determination of the type of each assembly step, (c) the type of tools required, (d) the size of each tool and its working envelope, and (e) check for collision, obstruction and clearance during assembly. Once the assembly steps are determined, a cost optimization approach can be used to generate possible assembly sequences. The engineer can then determine, according to his/her local assembly environment, an optimal assembly sequence. Heuris algorithms will be generated for these decision processes. The result is an expert support system which enables the fast transfer of 3-D CAD (computer aided design) parts and assembly data into a set of possible assembly sequences to facilitate the process engineer to speed up the implementation of automated assembly systems.