Title: Constraint-based virtual conceptual design

Authors: Gino Brunetti, Andre Stork

Addresses: Frauhnhofer-Insitut fur Graphische Datenverarbeitung, Fraunhoferstrasse 5, Darmstadt 64331, Germany. ' Frauhnhofer-Insitut fur Graphische Datenverarbeitung, Fraunhoferstrasse 5, Darmstadt 64331, Germany

Abstract: This paper introduces an approach towards modelling and validation of mechanisms in the conceptual design phase applying virtual reality techniques and kinematics simulation. The presented system allows to interactively assemble mechanisms and to experience their behaviour within the same process. The described approach incrementally builds kinematic chains reducing stepwise degrees of freedom. Kinematics is expressed in terms of joints by geometric constraints, which are solved in real time during interaction with the virtual prototype.

Keywords: conceptual design; assembly modelling; kinematics; simulation; virtual reality; validation; mechanism design; mechanism assembly; kinematic chains; geometric constraints; virtual prototyping; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2007.013436

International Journal of Product Development, 2007 Vol.4 No.6, pp.646 - 661

Published online: 28 Apr 2007 *

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