An integrated engineering solution used for enhancing the design of a technological device for automated assembly

Abstract

The paper presents a theoretical approach and a case study upon the use of an advanced CAD solution integrated with another engineering design software solution embedding DFMA concepts, particularly applied within the product and manufacturing process design for technological devices. The main objective of implementing CAD and DfX/DFMA integrated solutions is to guide designers into the product development phase so that a better design can be achieved in a shorter time and with lower costs. The case study analyzes an assembly model developed for an indexing mounting table dedicated for the automated assembling of an industrial electrical plug inlet. The assembly product model has been developed using 3D parametric modeling specific tools, further on it has been subjected to analysis based on DFMA principles and after that its components have been redesigned to respond to the analysis results. Some of the case study results and their interpretation are discussed in the paper content and finally some overall conclusions are included along with some intended future research directions.