A DATA MODEL FOR AN ASSEMBLY PLANNING SOFTWARE SYSTEM

A simple data model for assembly planning as a foundation for the cons truction of an innovative task-based assembly planning software system has been designed. The model uses 'assembly task' as its central obje ct to which associations with other assembly objects such as 'part','a ssembly', 'assembly machine' and 'assembly tool' are made. It was used to derive a data template-based database schema for all assembly plan ning functions of the software system. The schema was connected with t he software system's front end user interface by pictorial data glyphs . The assembly planning model, the database schema, the user interface s and the connectivity between the schema and the user interfaces are described. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.