Minimal precedence constraints for integrated assembly and execution planning

Assembly planning is an important step in the design-to-fabrication conversion process. In order to maintain the maximum flexibility, it is important to minimally constrain the planning process. It is also important to generate plans that can be successfully completed in the most effective manner using the available assembly cell. In this research the authors define the minimal precedence constraint concept and address two issues: i) generation and representation of minimal precedence constraints for assembly components and ii) determination of the existence of a global execution plan by analyzing the minimal precedence constraint interactions with cell constraints. The minimal precedence constraint concept is also extended to determining constraints for liaisons as presented by DeFazio and Whitney (1987).