Value of the 3D Product Model Use in Assembly Processes: Process Planning, Design, and Shop Floor Execution

Abstract

Organizations can enhance the value of their assembly planning, assembly design, and assembly shop floor execution through the use of the 3D product model. Once a tool targeted at product design, the 3D product model, enabled by current and emerging manufacturing process management technologies, can create additional value for organizations when used in assembly processes. The research survey conducted and described in this paper demonstrates the value organizations have seen in using the 3D product model in the assembly process. The paper also explores the current state of those organizations who have not yet implemented the use of the 3D product model in their assembly processes and the value that they foresee for possible future implementation. The essential findings of this research are the five qualitative areas in which value is derived from using the 3D product model in complex assembly processes and how those value drivers apply across various industries and organization sizes. These results provide a framework for future research to develop quantitative models of the value of the 3D product model use in assembly processes.

Quantitative Model for the Value of the 3D Product Model Use in Production Processes

“…This is an example application of the 3D product model in the assembly process." [1]. While deploying the 3D product model to the shop floor via visual work instructions is not the only way in which the 3D product model can be used in the production and assembly processes, it does demonstrate one example that creates value in some of the areas discussed in this paper, such as quicker operator training and less time updating work instructions.…”

“…As the three-dimensional (3D) product model functionality has moved beyond its original purpose for use in the design phase to being able to be more broadly applied through production and business processes, the opportunity exists to develop a quantitative model for the value that the use of 3D product models brings to those processes. In review of the current literature, including journal papers, articles, and conference papers sourced using Compendex and Scopus databases, there is a great deal of research on 3D product models as well as significant research on assembly and production processes, but relatively little research has been performed on the overlap of the two and the corresponding value that has been created as a result of that combination [1]. This void in the body of literature could be in large part due to the unavailability of software that linked the 3D product model to the production and assembly processes [2,3].…”

“…As both research and industry has advanced in knowledge and expertise, this capability to link and deploy the engineering bill of materials and 3D product models to the manufacturing bill of materials and use of the 3D product model in the production processes has become more prevalent [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Academic research has been exploring the link between the value of the 3D product model and its use in assembly and production processes, however, thus far the results have been largely qualitative versus quantitative [1,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The objective of this research is to develop, propose, and demonstrate the results of a quantitative model for the deployment of the 3D product model in production and assembly processes.…”

“…As noted in the authors' prior work, the 3D product model application focused on in this paper is the value of bringing the virtual CAD model and digital 3D assembly mock-up to the assembly and production process beyond the engineering design. The example below was provided previously in the authors' published work, "Value of the 3D Product Model Use in Assembly Processes: Process Planning, Design, and Shop Floor Execution" and is included here again to give the reader a sense for an example of the type of application of the 3D product model the research is targeting [1].…”

“…This is an example application of the 3D product model in the assembly process." [1]. The authors note that the 3D product model can have a large array of meanings from the virtual computer-aided design (CAD) model, to a digital mock-up, to a digital twin, or even a physical 3D model.…”