Knowledge-based assembly simulation for virtual prototype modeling

The idea of virtual prototyping is the use of realistic digital product models for design and functionality analysis in early stages of the product development cycle. The goal of our research is to make modeling of virtual prototypes more intuitive and powerful by using knowledge enhanced virtual reality techniques for interactive construction of virtual prototypes from 3D-visualized, CAD-based parts. To this end, a knowledge-based approach for real-time assembly simulation has been developed that draws on dynamically updated representations of part matings and assembly structure. The approach has been implemented in an experimental system, the CODY Virtual Constructor, that supports a variety of interaction modalities, such as direct manipulation, natural language, and gestures.