A review of cable layout design and assembly simulation in virtual environments

The layout and assembly of flexible cables play important roles in the design and development of complex electromechanical products.The rationality of cable layout design and the reliability of cable assembly greatly affect product quality.In this paper,we review the methods of cable layout design,cable assembly process planning,and cable assembly simulation.We first review research on flexible cable layout design(both interactive and automatic).Then,research on the cable assembly process planning,including cable assembly path and manipulation planning,is reviewed.Finally,cable assembly simulation is introduced,which includes general cable information,cable collision detection data,and cable assembly process modeling.Current problems and future research directions are summarized at the end of the paper.

Comparison of the Feasible Schemes for HT-7U Assembly Simulation

The whole superconducting HT-7U Tokamak is a high-cost and large-scale complicated device. The assembly requirement of HT-7U device is arduous and strict. At present, there have been no guiding principle for the assembly of the device, but assembly simulation can help the engineer plan and make decision by an intuitional and visual way before its actual assembly. The problem is that which scheme is most suitable should be solved primarily. From current research situation and technology progress of assembly simulation, this paper explained and analyzed four kinds of technological schemes of assembly simulation in common use. Finally, we got the most feasible scheme that was suitable for HT-7U assembly simulation by comparing their technological issues and difficult points of simulation among the four kinds of feasible schemes.

Application of Assembly Modeling and Simulation Technology to a Large Size Wind-drive Generator

Challenges still remain in carrying out assembly modeling efficiently in virtual assembly （VA） fields. One of the root causes is the apparent weakness in effective description of assembly knowledge and information. The assembly modeling, disassembly modeling, assembly interference inspection, assembly sequence planning and optimization, and assembly simulation display for key techniques is studied theoretically in this paper. An example of product assembly modeling is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. On the basis of re- search, using assembly simulation techniques and multimedia techniques to finish structure design in linkage design of a large size wind-drive generator. The application of the modeling method has shortened the lead time dramatically.

Creation and Evaluation of a Multi-sensory Virtual Assembly Environment

The multi-modal information presentation, integrated into the virtual environment （VE）, has potential for stimulating different senses, improving the user＇s impression of immersion, and increasing the amount of information that is accepted and processed by the user＇s perception system. The increase of the useful feedback information may reduce the user＇s cognitive load, thus enhancing the user＇s efficiency and performance while interacting with VEs. This paper presents our creation of a multi-sensory virtual assembly environment （VAE） and the evaluation of the effects of multi-sensory feedback on the usability. The VAE brings together complex technologies such as constraint-based assembly simulation, optical motion tracking technology, and real-time 3D sound generation technology around a virtual reality workbench and a common software platform. The usability evaluation is in terms of its three attributes： efficiency of use, user satisfaction, and reliability. These are addressed by using task completion times （TCTs）, questionnaires, and human performance error rates （HPERs）, respectively. Two assembly tasks have been used to perform the experiments, using sixteen participants. The outcomes showed that the multi-sensory feedback could improve the usability. They also indicated that the integrated feedback offered better usability than either feedback used in isolation. Most participants preferred the integrated feedback to either feedback （visual or auditory） or no feedback. The participants＇ comments demonstrated that nonrealistic or inappropriate feedback had negative effects on the usability, and easily made them feel frustrated. The possible reasons behind the outcomes are also analysed by using a unifying human computer interaction framework. The implications, concluded from the outcomes of this work, can serve as useful guidelines for improving VE system design and implementation.

Interference checking approach with tolerance based on assembly dimension chain

CAD model with nominal dimension is implemented in interference checking of assembly simulation of aircraft complex parts at present, which causes inadequate availability. In order to address this challenging issue, interference checking method with tolerance based on assembly dimension chain was proposed. Worst case and maximum error probability of tolerance of composing loop were used, and CAD models were respectively re-constructed and inserted into simulation system. Before dynamic interference checking, engineering semantic interference condition was set to assembly requirements. Finally, the interface checking result was a basis for reasonability of assembly process and tolerance. A prototype system was developed based on the above research.

A hand gesture-based interactive model to choose one from many

Natural, efficient, intelligent, and barrier-free HCI （Human-Computer Interface） will be the main developing direction of the new intelligent HCI. Building an intelligent, natural, harmonious and humanistic HCI has been the primary developing tendency of the new HCI. ＂Select one from many＂ is one of the key questions in researching and designing HCI based on gestures. On the sin- gle channel interactive condition which is based on 3D gesture operation, we build a interactive model of＂Select one from many＂. Combining this model with ＂Token＂ technology and reciprocating movement feature, we present and realize a simple efficient ＂Se- lect one from many＂ algorithm, which is used in a concrete SOR （Selection-Operation-Release） system. In the SOR system, we real- ize a real-time selection, tracking and interaction of natural gestures.

Modeling for assembly simulations:Data description and a data-driven construction framework

Assembly simulations such as assembly process simulation and assembly tolerance simulation have become an effective means to evaluate and analyze product assembly design and assembly process planning.Being core aspect of simulation implementation,building an assembly simulation model is rather time-consuming because of its high complexity.Furthermore,modeling has a significant influence on the popularization and application of simulation technology.In this paper,data needed by assembly process and tolerance simulation are addressed to propose a data-driven approach for assembly simulation modeling.The application process and the architecture of modeling framework for assembly simulation are presented as well.An assembly sequence simulation example is given to illustrate the application of the framework.The framework provides a new idea for the realization of automatic modeling for assembly simulation.

An Interactive Assembly Process Planner

This paper describes the implementation and performance of the virtual assembly support sys-tem (VASS), a new system that can provide designers and assembly process engineers with a simulation and visualization environment where they can evaluate the assemblability/disassemblability of products, and thereby use a computer to intuitively create assembly plans and interactively generate assembly process charts. Subassembly planning and assembly priority reasoning techniques were utilized to find heuristic information to improve the efficiency of assembly process planning. Tool planning was imple-mented to consider tool requirements in the product design stage. New methods were developed to reduce the computation amount involved in interference checking. As an important feature of the VASS, human interaction was integrated into the whole process of assembly process planning, extending the power of computer reasoning by including human expertise, resulting in better assembly plans and better designs.

Synergic Motion Trajectory Planning for Airplane Docking Based on6PURU Parallel Mechanism

Motion planning issues encountered in assembling airplanes by employing the 6PURU parallel mechanism are analyzed in this paper. A sine curve of the change rate of acceleration, which is called as jerk in the following text, is proposed for uniaxial flexible acceleration and deceleration planning based on the optimal time and velocity and acceleration constraints. Compared with other curves, the proposed curve can realize a continuous n-order derivative and the smooth change of the speed and acceleration. The method is computational^y simple and suitable for programming. In addition, a multiaxial coordinated movement scheme is proposed. The motion trajectory is no longer simply split into many single-direction trajectories nor are all single-direction planning trajectories combined directly. The multiaxial coordinated movement scheme aims to achieve synergic movement in multiple directions to ensure smoothness of the movement in the event of a kinematic error when maintaining a stable value. If the movement fails to achieve this goal, driving force mutations will deteriorate the effect of synergic movement. A physical model of the parallel mechanism is developed in simMechanics, and a holistic system model is completed in SIMULINK. The feasibility of the new planning algorithm is simulated and tested, and then, the multiaxial synergic movement planning method is proposed and verified.