Title: A behavioural process design model for development of assembly devices

Authors: Yi-Min Deng; Yongsheng Ma; Liang Shi

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Rd., Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province 315211, China ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, 4-9, Mechanical Engineering Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada ' China Railway Engineering Machinery Research & Design Institute, 45 Xudong Rd., Wuhan City, Hubei Province 430067, China

Abstract: Assembly devices are important equipment for product assembly because they greatly affect the efficiency of the assembly process. Although there are various design models or methods for the general mechanical products, specific strategies and methods for conceptual development of the assembly devices are still lacking. In this paper, we studied a number of commonly used assembly devices, where the focus lays on the characteristics of the behaviours and behavioural processes exhibited by the devices. From this study, we noticed the so-called 'phenyl-loop behaviour', which has demonstrated some unique characteristics useful for their conceptual development. Some rules are proposed to help identify these behaviours and to assist the design process. A behavioural process design model is subsequently developed, which employs both causality and phenyl-loop behavioural characteristics. Finally, a case study of the connector assembly design is presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed design model.

Keywords: assembly devices; behavioural process; design models; design synthesis; process design; modelling; product assembly; design process; assembly design; connector assembly; product design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2013.058451

International Journal of Product Development, 2013 Vol.18 No.5, pp.445 - 460

Accepted: 04 Sep 2013
Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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