Method And System For Identifying Fastener Placement Zones

A method executed on a data processing system having at least one processor, the method comprising:

• loading an assembly model, the assembly model defining a first part and a second part, wherein the first and second parts are placed and oriented such that a first attachment surface of the first part is positioned to be substantially equidistant to a second attachment surface of the second part;
• selecting a fastener type having a size attribute;
• specifying fastener placement rules defining geometric constraints on fastener placement locations for the first and second parts, and
• establishing respective first and second fastener zones on the respective first and second attachment surfaces of the respective first and second parts as a function of the size attribute and the fastener placement rules;
• and
• comparing the first and second fastener zones to define an assembly fastener zone that indicates where fasteners of the fastener type may be placed to join the first and second parts into the assembly model,
• wherein, the assembly fastener zone is defined by at least one overlapping portion of the respective first and second fastener zones when positioned in an equidistant configuration, and as compared from a perspective normal to the first and second fastener zones.

A system, comprising:

• one or more memory units that store multiple virtual models;
• a virtual model designer coupled to the one or more memory units,
• wherein the virtual model designer is configured to load an assembly model, the assembly model defining a first part and a second part, wherein the first and second parts are placed and oriented such that a first attachment surface of the first part is positioned to be substantially equidistant to a second attachment surface of the second part, and
• wherein the virtual model designer is further configured to select a fastener type having a size attribute, and
• wherein the virtual model designer is further configured to specify fastener placement rules defining geometric constraints on fastener placement locations for the first and second parts;
• and
• a valid fastener zone indicator coupled to the virtual model designer,
• wherein the valid fastener zone indicator is configured to establish respective first and second fastener zones on the respective first and second attachment surfaces of the respective first and second parts as a function of the size attribute and the fastener placement rules, and
• wherein the valid fastener zone indicator is further configured to compare the first and second fastener zones to define an assembly fastener zone that indicates where fasteners of the fastener type may be placed to join the first and second parts into the assembly model, wherein, the assembly fastener zone is defined by at least one overlapping portion of the respective first and second fastener zones when positioned in an equidistant configuration, and as compared from a perspective normal to the first and second fastener zones.