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Article
Publication date: 2 September 2019

Xingyuan Wang, Zhifeng Lou, Xiaodong Wang, Yue Wang, Xiupeng Hao and Zhize Wang

The purpose of this paper is to design an automatic press-fit instrument to realize precision assembly and connection quality assessment of a small interference fitting parts…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an automatic press-fit instrument to realize precision assembly and connection quality assessment of a small interference fitting parts, armature.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an automatic press-fit instrument was developed for the technical problems of reliable clamping and positioning of the armature, automatic measurement and adjustment of the attitude and evaluation of the connection quality. To compensate for the installation error of the equipment, corresponding calibration method was proposed for each module of the instrument. Assembly strategies of axial displacement and perpendicularity were also proposed to ensure the assembly accuracy. A theoretical model was built to calculate the resistant force generated by the non-contact regions and then combined with the thick-walled cylinder theory to predict the press-fit curve.

Findings

The calibration method and assembly strategy proposed in this paper enable the press-fit instrument to achieve good alignment and assembly accuracy. A reasonable range of press-fit curve obtained from theoretical model can achieve the connection quality assessment.

Practical implications

This instrument has been used in an armature assembly project. The practical results show that this instrument can assemble the armature components with complex structures automatically, accurately, in high-efficiency and in high quality.

Originality/value

This paper provides a technical method to improve the assembly quality of small precision interference fitting parts and provides certain methodological guidelines for precision peg-in-hole assembly.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1983

Peter G. MacLaren

This paper provides an overview of five types of assembly equipment and indicates where each type is typically suited to small parts assembly operations

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of five types of assembly equipment and indicates where each type is typically suited to small parts assembly operations

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2022

Md. Helal Miah, Jianhua Zhang and Ravinder Tonk

Regarding the assembly of the fuselage panel, this paper aims to illustrate a design of pre-assembly tooling of the fuselage panel for the automatic drilling riveting machine…

Abstract

Purpose

Regarding the assembly of the fuselage panel, this paper aims to illustrate a design of pre-assembly tooling of the fuselage panel for the automatic drilling riveting machine. This new prototype of pre-assembly tooling can be used for different types and sizes of fuselage panels. Also, apply to the automated drilling and riveting machine of the fuselage panels.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the different structures of the fuselage panel, the position of the preassembly tooling components, location of the clamp and position of the fuselage panel are determined. After that, the overall structure of the preassembly tooling is designed, including the movable frame and the cardboard. The cardboard positioning module and the clamping module formulate a detailed design scheme of preassembly tooling for the fuselage panel. The structure of the pre-assembled tooling is optimized by static analysis. The result of the overall design is optimized by using MATLAB and CATIA-V5 software, and the results meet the condition of the design requirements.

Findings

The traditional assembly process of the fuselage is to install the fuselage panel on the preassembly tooling for positioning the hole and then install it on the automated drilling and riveting tooling for secondary tooling. Secondary tooling can consume assembly errors of the fuselage panel. The new prototype of flexible tooling design for the fuselage panel not only avoids the secondary tooling error of the fuselage panel but also meets the preassembly of different types of fuselage panels.

Research limitations/implications

The further development of the flexible tooling design of the fuselage panel is to reduce the error of sliding tooling due to friction of the sliding components. Because if the assembly cycle is increased, the sliding parts will lose material due to corrosion. As a result, the repeated friction force is the root cause of the positioning error of sliding parts. Therefore, it is necessary to engage less corrosive material. Also, the lubricant may be used to reduce the corrosion in minimizing the positioning error of the sliding tool components. In addition, it is important to calculate the number of assembly cycles for efficient fuselage panel assembly.

Originality/value

According to the structure and assembly process characteristics of the fuselage panel, the fuselage panel preassembly tooling can optimize the assembly process of the fuselage panel and have certain practical application values.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 95 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2010

Hugo Medellin, Jonathan Corney, James Ritchie and Theodore Lim

This paper aims to investigate automatic assembly planning for robot and manual assembly.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate automatic assembly planning for robot and manual assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

The octree decomposition technique is applied to approximate a computer‐aided design model with an octree representation which is then used to generate robot and manual assembly plans. An assembly planning system able to generate assembly plans was developed to build these prototype models.

Findings

Octree decomposition is an effective assembly planning tool. Assembly plans can automatically be generated for robot and manual assembly using octree models.

Research limitations/implications

One disadvantage of the octree decomposition technique is that it approximates a part model with cubes instead of using the actual model. This limits its use and applications when complex assemblies must be planned, but in the context of prototyping can allow a rough component to be formed which can later be finished by hand.

Practical implications

Assembly plans can be generated using octree decomposition, however, new algorithms must be developed to overcome its limitations.

Originality/value

This paper has proved that the octree decomposition technique is an effective assembly planning tool. As a result, an assembly planning system has been developed. Assembly plans for automatic and manual assembly can be generated automatically by the proposed system, which is a novelty since there are no fully automatic assembly planning systems for manual assembly reported in the literature.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1983

Lee J. Seymour

Planning an automatic assembly and testing system raises many questions, this paper aims to provide some of the answers, and suggests various approaches to the overall project.

Abstract

Planning an automatic assembly and testing system raises many questions, this paper aims to provide some of the answers, and suggests various approaches to the overall project.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1980

Jack D. Lane

The Remote Center Compliance (RCC) device is a mechanical device which acts as a multi‐axis float to achieve lateral and angular alignment between components which are being mated…

Abstract

The Remote Center Compliance (RCC) device is a mechanical device which acts as a multi‐axis float to achieve lateral and angular alignment between components which are being mated during assembly operations. The device has been evaluated for assembly applications and its operational characteristics and limitations in achieving automatic mechnical alignment are described.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Wanbin Pan, Yigang Wang and Peng Du

The purpose of this paper is to develop an automatic disassembly navigation approach for human interactions in the virtual environment to achieve accurate and effective virtual…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an automatic disassembly navigation approach for human interactions in the virtual environment to achieve accurate and effective virtual assembly path planning (VAPP).

Design/methodology/approach

First, to avoid the error-prone human interactions, a constraint-based disassembly method is presented. Second, to automatically provide the next operable part(s), a disassembly navigation mechanism is adopted. Finally, the accurate assembly path planning can be obtained effectively and automatically by inversing the ordered accurate disassembly paths, which are obtained interactively in the virtual environment aided with the disassembly navigation matrix.

Findings

The applications present that our approach can effectively avoid the error-prone interactive results and generate accurate and effective VAPP.

Research limitations/implications

There are several works that could be conducted to make our approach more general in the future: to further study the basic disassembly direction deducing rules to make the process of determining disassembly direction totally automatic, to consider the hierarchy of the parts in virtual reality system and to consider the space for assembly/disassembly tools or operators.

Originality/value

The approach has the following characteristics: a new approach to avoid the error-prone human interactions for accurate assembly path planning obtaining, a new constraint deducing method for determining the disassembly semantics automatically or semi-automatically is put forward and a new method for automatically identifying operable parts in VAPP is set forward.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2012

Roberto Viganò and Gilberto Osorio Gómez

The purpose of this paper is to define an approach to extract the liaison graph from a 3D CAD model and analyze a method to find at least a feasible assembly sequence for the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define an approach to extract the liaison graph from a 3D CAD model and analyze a method to find at least a feasible assembly sequence for the product. The method could be useful to search the optimal sequence of assembling for a product, by comparing different sequences extracted in automatic mode from a 3D CAD model.

Design/methodology/approach

The method proposed analyzes the liaison graph extracted, in order to obtain the possible assembly sequences for the product under study. The extraction of the sequences is based on some attributes and parameters of the graph.

Findings

By means of the method proposed it is possible to obtain in automatic mode the liaison graph of an assembly 3D CAD model. Moreover, the study of the graph obtained allows the definition of all the assembly sequences for the product. Finally, it is possible to analyse the sequences found to select the optimal sequence.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of the approach is, actually, the great number of impossible sequences that are extracted. For this, a little intervention by the user is required.

Practical implications

The application of the method allows the manufacturer to analyze and study the optimal assembly sequence without the direct use of a CAD system. The approach could be used at the early stage of the design process and by means of the database of the PDM/PLM systems.

Originality/value

The approach proposed in the paper is an original method to extract a liaison graph from a 3D CAD model. The approach to extract the assembly sequences was compared with other methods and good results have been obtained.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1988

D. Chay, E. Lenz and M. Shpitalni

Special software in a CAD system can help a designer evaluate an assembly and redesign it for automation.

Abstract

Special software in a CAD system can help a designer evaluate an assembly and redesign it for automation.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1981

H.‐J. Warnecke and J. Walther

West Germany is one of Europe's leading users of assembly automation techniques. This report classifies the types of systems now being installed and gives examples of some…

Abstract

West Germany is one of Europe's leading users of assembly automation techniques. This report classifies the types of systems now being installed and gives examples of some successful applications.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

1 – 10 of over 8000