A review of the support tools for the process of assembly method selection and assembly planning

This paper reviews the substantial body of research into software and other tools to support the closely related methodologies of assembly system selection, design for assembly, and assembly planning. Reported research has led to the adoption of a number of tools in current use in manufacturing industry. Here, the scope of this research, and its practical applications, is considered with a view to identifying the application domain of each approach and support tool. The authors are led to the conclusion that there is a need for further research into a methodology for the initial selection of the assembly method (e.g. assembly line, fixed point assembly, etc), and that such a methodology should consider not only factors of product technology, but also the industrial environment where assembly is to take place. Further, a knowledge-based decision support tool could facilitate the application of this methodology, and expand decision support further into the selection of assembly planning methods for subsequent application.