Research on mapping between product function model and assembly model

To realize the integration of the functional and detailed design of mechanical components, a model was proposed that contains the top-down hierarchical mapping between functional and assembly units and also the mapping of constraints between features. The function model was represented by functional structure network, and the assembly model was described in terms of units and features. The links among the assembly units, assembly features and assembly relations of the assembly model and their roles in product design were analyzed. The integrity of the assembly model was achieved by mapping technologies. Case databases, mapping tables and expression of rules were incorporated in the research to guarantee the feasibility of the mapping relations, and successful transfer of the design constraints and model data in top-down manner. Finally, the proposed mapping techniques were demonstrated by case study.