Product design analysis for robotic assembly using extended Group Technology techniques

Abstract

The adaptive ability of robotic assembly systems is often limited by hardware deficiencies. In order to effectively use the available robotic assembly systems, products need to be designed to accommodate current equipment restraints. In this study, a generalized computer-aided design method has been developed to assist engineers in product design for robotic assembly. To facilitate product design with respect to computer-integrated manufacturing systems and to integrate it into these systems, Group Technology techniques have been embedded for conveying assembly-related information for design analysis. Furthermore, the economic aspects of the robotic assembly systems have been evaluated and justified so that proper assembly costs can be assessed for each product. An example of a check valve assembly has been adopted to demonstrate the efficiency and usefulness of this design tool. A totally new approach based on heuristics for automatically evaluating assemblability of individual manufacturing variable has been discussed. Two important variables, tangling and untangling, which influence part feeding and orienting have been chosen to study the applicability of this approach. A heuristic formula for assessing untanglability has been developed and experimentally validated by "experts" in the design area.