A dynamic assembly model for assembly sequence planning of complex product based on polychromatic sets theory

Abstract

Purpose

Assembly Sequence Planning integrating assembly Resources (ASPR) is a trend in industry. Because of the introduction of resource, the complexity of ASPR for complex product increases drastically; besides, the dynamic property of resource and the co‐existence of assembly sequence and disassembly sequence (ASDS) make the problems in ASPR more difficult. The dynamic assembly model (DAM) based on polychromatic sets (PS) theory was proposed to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a strategy was presented to simplify ASPR, taking advantage of assembly sequence generated in the phase of assembly design which considers no resource. Secondly, the concept of DAM was discussed, and some principles/criteria for DAM modeling were generalized from experience. Then, the DAM was modeled by formalizing its incidence relations as PS matrix, and refined based on the formalized criteria, which were expressed as PS locating and collision relation models. Finally, an application case was studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

Findings

The approach could reduce the complexity of ASPR significantly, and was able to identify dynamic resource, model DAM and handle the co‐existence of ASDS effectively.

Practical implications

The method may change the manual pattern of ASPR in simulation environment, and become a potential tool to change the pattern of traditional ASP which comes to work from scratch, by utilizing the upstream information of product design.

Originality/value

Different from traditional assembly model, DAM was a local model which consists of partial components of product and resource, and the DAM‐based ASPR approach would make the computational complexity of product assembly become more linear than exponential.

Citation

Xu, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, J., Cheng, H., Jiang, S. and Tang, W. (2012), "A dynamic assembly model for assembly sequence planning of complex product based on polychromatic sets theory", Assembly Automation, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 152-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445151211212307