Development of virtual assembly application with haptics, assembly modification and statistical output measures

The concept of virtual assembly offers endless possibilities to a designer in a manufacturing setting. Various assembly measures such as clearance, assembly planning, force and alternate designs can be examined without the need to waste resources through manufacturing. This paper investigates the possibility of using force feedback through haptics in a virtual environment as a way of understanding the intricacy of simple assembly. This allows a designer to further understand what will, and will not, work during the design phase. The study of certain characteristics, including lubrication, is also examined to see what impact it has on the ease of assembly. A user, or designer, can then get an actual feel to see what characteristics change the likelihood for a proper fit. In addition, the creation of a virtual part run is also examined to fully understand what constitutes a defect. Statistical output is provided so a user can analyze a run of parts for quality control and be able to pinpoint possible causes for error in a process. Virtual parts can then be assembled from the run to see how each differs from the others and to emphasize the undesirability of a defect for assembly purposes.