Abstract
As the use of 3DCAD data became widespread in designing products in manufacturing, attempts have been made to shorten lead time and reduce cost of production preparation utilizing 3DCAD data for launching assembly lines. In order to create assembly plans not only efficient but easy for operators to operate ('easy-to-operate'), this study presents approaches, methods, and systems for creating 3DCGAs (3 Dimensional Computer Graphic Animations) which automatically utilize a prototype-free production preparation methodology. Characteristics of this study include that it proposes the methodology for creating assembly operation 3DCGAs automatically, for all the possible assembly operations corresponding each of the possible assembly sequences first. Using the created 3DCGAs, the study next considers assembly methods by evaluating how easy or 'operator friendly' they are in implementing, and devises tools or jigs to be used, and plans efficient assembly line organization. The concept of the methodology was formed by focusing on the value-adding assembly steps at which parts turn into products directly. The study also validates the effectiveness of the presented methodology by employing the methods used in actual production preparation process in businesses, and proves that an efficient assembly line can be organized in a shorter period of time utilizing the developed system and by preparing easy-to-operate and efficient plans in 3DCGAs at the design stage.