SA's Relationships

Introduction

Relationship optimization is a new type of spatial transformation capability that can be added to SpatialAnalyzer. Relationship optimization simultaneously best-fits the distance between objects (e.g., measured points) and known geometric shapes (e.g., points, lines, planes, and surfaces.)  The user is able weight each relationship individually relative to its importance to the part/tool performance requirements.

Background: Relationships

• Relationships capture the distances between objects
• Collections of objects (describe common relationships) à Part Features
• Directly optimize part features à Best Performance
• Transform instruments and parts with Relationships (Enhanced Reference Systems are not needed!)
• Relationships vs. Optical Tooling Points
• Classic Optimization
  • Points to Points
  • Points to Surface
• Relationships Optimization
  • Point to Point
  • Point to Objects
  • Groups to Objects
  • Frame to Frame
  • Object to Object Etc.

Benefits of Relationship Fitting

• Optimize product performance
• Relationship between features are optimized directly! à Build / Inspect
• Cost savings and flow time reduction
• OTP maintenance and time
• Set/Inspect part features directly from CAD
• Reduces measurement tolerance guess work
• Improves assembly reliability
• Custom configurations directly on the shop floor
• Integrate assembly configuration for design/tolerance improvements

Applications

• Door Surface, Hinge Line, and Trim vs. ERS
• Relationship Optimization Results
• Fuselage Assembly Frame to Frame
• Assemble Spar Features
• Spar Inspection
• Spar Hinge Line, Web Surface, Upper and Lower Cords

Summary

• Relationship Optimization will improve results over traditional processes.
• Relationships reduce the amount of tolerance information vs. the OTP process.
• Preparation, Setup, and Flow time are minimized
• Using the CAD Geometry in Relationships improves part and trend analysis.
• Using part tolerances instead of tooling tolerances enables significant cost savings.