Research on constraint-based virtual assembly technologies

Abstract

To realize a constraint-based virtual assembly operation, the unified representations of the assembly constraint, the equivalent relation between the constraint and the degree of freedom (DOF), and the movement DOF reduction in a virtual environment are proposed. Several algorithms about the constraint treatment are submitted. First, the automatic recognition algorithm based on the assembly relation is used to determine the position and orientation relation between two geometry elements of constraint whether they meet the given errors. Second, to satisfy the new constraint, according to the positing solving algorithm, the position and orientation of an active part are modified with minimal adjustment after the part has satisfied the affirmed constraints. Finally, the algorithm of movement navigation based on the generalized coordinate system is put forward, and the part movement is guided. These algorithms have been applied to the integrated virtual assembly environment (IVAE) system. Experiments have indicated that these algorithms have well supported constraint treatments in the IVAE and realized the closer combination of the virtual and the real assembly processes.