Generation of Assembly Models from Kinematic Constraints

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new joint-based assembly modeling method. In the joint-based assembly modeling, the assembly constraints are specified on the components, but not on the geometric elements of the components. The proposed method generates assembly models from kinematic joint constraints by applying three procedures 1) for extracting all feasible JMFs for each mating component using information on joint constraints, 2) for deriving mating alternatives for each pair of mating components after reducing the number of JMFs using the pruning criteria, and 3) for generating an assembly model by choosing the intended one from the mating alternatives for each pair of mating components and solving the JMF constraints. Since the joint constraints are expressed in terms of the relations between components rather than relations between geometric elements, the proposed method is more intuitive and natural for assembly modeling and supports modeling activities effectively by minimizing user