Intelligent Assembly Time Analysis Using a Digital Knowledge-Based Approach

摘要

The implementation of effective time analysis methods which are both fast and accurate, in the era of digital manufacturing, has become a significant challenge for manufacturers hoping to build and maintain a competitive advantage. This paper proposes a structure oriented, knowledge-based approach for intelligent time analysis for complex, engineering assembly processes within a digital manufacturing framework. The approach combines three important aspects: hierarchical object oriented structure, knowledge modeling, and implementation within a digital manufacturing framework. The hierarchical structure facilitates the capture of work breakdown structure, automated time analysis, and effective information management. Knowledge modeling enables the intelligent generation of manufacturing cycle times from design parameters. The implementation of a digital design and manufacturing platform with integrated time analysis capability through intuitive graphical user interfaces and configured functionalities, provides a truly collaborative methodology and concurrent engineering tool for productivity improvement. An exemplar study using an aircraft panel assembly from a regional jet is presented. Although the method currently focuses on aerospace assembly, it can also be applied to many other industry sectors including automotive, railway carriage, and large scale marine manufacturing. The main contribution of the work is to present a methodology that facilitates the integration of time analysis with product design and assembly process definition using a digital manufacturing solution.