Design for automated assembly. An axiomatic and analytical method

There are two recognized systems of design for assembly. The first, an analytical method developed by Geoffrey Boothroyd, is applicable to product redesign or new product design after initial design drawings are complete. The second, the axiomatic method is applicable to the initial design phase of product development but has lacked the rigor of scientific investigation to demonstrate its validity. This paper describes preliminary research subjecting the axiomatic method to scientific investigation. If the research validates a set of axioms, the design engineer can consider the assemblibility of a product during design conceptualization with confidence that the design will meet the requirements of automated assembly. Thus, design for assembly will have become an integral part of new product development.