Abstract: A camera is configured to, at a predetermined rate, capture images of an assembler during assembly of a plurality of components into an assembly using one or more tools. A first database is stored in memory and includes: imaging data associated with known components; and unique part numbers of the known components, respectively. A component module is configured to: based on the imaging data associated with the known components and portions of the images including one of the components, identify the one of the components as one of the known components; and determine the unique part number associated with the one of the known components. An assembly document module is configured to: add the unique part number associated with the one of the known components to an assembly document including instructions for assembling the plurality of components into the assembly; and store the assembly document in memory.

Abstract: A method for using business intelligence for generating rules for a manufacturing process design has been developed. First, product properties are extracted from a product lifecycle management/product data management (PLM/PDM) system(s). Next, process data is extracted from a manufacturing database and then manufacturing production data is extracted from the PLM/PDM system(s). All the extracted data is stored in a data mining database. The contents of the data mining database are then analyzed by data mining system, which generates decision tree; an automatic rule generator is used to create manufacturing process rules from the decision tree. The process rules are then stored in a process rules database for use by an automated or semi-automated process design engine.

Abstract: A method for designing a designing a product manufacturing process has been developed. First, a final manufacturing assembly is loaded into a manufacturing process design engine. Next, clearance and interference checks are performed for all objects used during the manufacturing process with an interference and clearance calculation engine. The checks are based on data retrieved from an interference and clearance database (ICD). If an interference or inadequate clearance is detected by the design engine, the manufacturing operation is redesigned. If no interference or inadequate clearance is detected, the manufacturing operation is optimized with a manufacturing process optimization engine. The product manufacturing process is finalized once the optimization is complete.