Application of Virtual Assembly Tools for Improving Product Design

Virtual product creation and product design analysis are essential for studies in the investigation into assembly feasibility and help reveal practical manufacturing constraints. This paper demonstrates an application of a virtual assembly tool DYNAMO for a grill plate assembly. Virtual simulation and assembly verification is illustrated. Both virtual simulation and assembly verification enable designers to identify potential assembly difficulties encountered in manufacturing and thus save time and cost in real production. The paper also examines factors that influence the efficiency of assembly, namely, assembly method, assembly sequence, and assembly time. Suggestions for redesign for assembly improvement provided by some design for assembly methods are also discussed.