Method for design of a manufacturing process using an intererence and clearance database

A method for creating an interference and clearance database (ICD) for a manufacturing process, comprising:

• loading dimensions for all available objects for possible use in the manufacturing process into an interference and clearance calculation engine, wherein the dimensions of the available objects are retrieved from computer-aided design (CAD) models;
• loading the dimensions for all product variations in the manufacturing process into the interference and clearance calculation engine, wherein the dimensions of the product variations are retrieved from the CAD models;
• loading the work position for assembly of every combination of tools and fasteners for possible use in during the manufacturing process into the interference and clearance calculation engine;
• calculating any interference and inadequate clearance of each possible combination of objects, products and work positions in the manufacturing process with the clearance calculation engine;
• determining possible alternative work positions for all object interferences and inadequate clearance detected by the clearance calculation engine;
• disregarding objects for use in the manufacturing process if no possible alternative work positions for the interference or inadequate clearance are determined;
• and
• adding each combination of object, product variation and work positions to the ICD if no interference or inadequate clearance for the combination is detected by the interference and clearance calculation engine.