Backward assembly planning with assembly cost analysis

The author considers automatic assembly planning by developing a backward assembly planner which handles the case where an assembly sequence is not the same as the reverse of a disassembly sequence; improving planning efficiency with the reduction of search space by merging and grouping parts based on interconnection feasibility and special process precedence constraints; establishing assembly process planning by incorporating such special processes as testing, cleaning, etc., in assembly planning; and providing subassembly evaluation criteria with a direct connection to assembly cost. A method for the stability and directionality of an assembly is presented through which the required number of holding devices and reorientations during assembly are identified