Unified modeling of design and manufacturing information in DFM

DFM method can only be realized with the help of complete, unified modeling of product requirements, functionalities, assembly relations, shape, dimensions and tolerance, and manufacturing requirements. Beyond the capabilities of current CAD systems on modeling of geometric aspects of product, a fully-associated model defined by unified modeling language is proposed to facilitate the DFM. Function model is created to define the product functional structure and interaction between functional objects. Function model is transformed and associated with the assembly model by function feature. Product structure is defined by assembly model and assembly connection features. Product simplification can be achieved by function optimization and assembly simplification method. The functions and assembly connection are further break down to a feature-based model. Form feature is mapped into manufacturing features and be verified to the consistence with the capabilities of enterprise's manufacturing resources and production type. The unified model associates information from customer needs, product function, components behaviors, part geometry and manufacturing resource capabilities. It can help to fully understand of various impacts coming from each stage of product lifecycle, especially the impacts of manufacturing processes.