Feature-based assembly in aeronautics design: from concepts development to formalisation

Abstract

The design of mechanical assemblies carried out using today's CAD systems is mainly developed by modelling single parts, and then assembling them in a subsequent design phase. This bottom-up approach is not congruent and not satisfying the way designers are used to design assemblies. Besides, most of the CAD systems are weak for what concerns several functionalities. For example, the manipulation or the modification of the part geometry or the mating conditions of a created assembly is not supported. The introduction of the feature-based approach in assembly design, already successfully used in the design of single parts, would offer several advantages. For example, it would allow designers to start drawing the assembly from a top view, leaving the design of details and subsystems to a following phase. This paper describes some results of research work done within a project funded by the European Union aiming at extending and validating the use of features, to help in the solution of assembly problems in aeronautical applications.