DESIGN SUPPORT SYSTEM, DESIGN SUPPORT METHOD, AND DESIGN SUPPORT PROGRAM

Abstract

To facilitate creation of a preferable design drawing with three-dimension CAD.SOLUTION: A method according to the present invention has steps of calculating, each time evaluation target CAD data under design is acquired at a predetermined interval, all changed parts changed from past CAD data and shapes of the all changed parts, calculating an adjacent relation between all the changed parts and adjacent parts located within a predetermined distance from the respective changed parts as an updated part adjacent relation in the evaluation target CAD data, generating an assembling graph of the evaluation target CAD data to calculate a disassembling order of the parts in the evaluation target CAD, calculating an assembling easiness value if it is determined that the evaluation target CAD data has assembling possibility, determining whether or not the assembling easiness value is equal to or smaller than an assembling easiness threshold value, and if it is determined that the assembling easiness value is larger than the assembling easiness threshold value, outputting a notice that the evaluation target CAD data is not easy for assembling in view of the assembling easiness value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program for supporting the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that makes it easy to assemble a product from parts using design data of the product created by 3D CAD. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a designer creates 3D CAD data, which is design information of an assembly, and then an animation showing the process of assembling the assembly from parts is created using the 3D CAD data, and the assembly process is evaluated. Here, by using the technology described in Patent Document 1, when creating an animation showing the process of assembling the assembly from parts, it is possible to verify whether the product can be assembled according to the 3D CAD data. As a result, before a prototype of the product is produced, it is possible to verify whether the product can be assembled according to the 3D CAD data, and if it becomes clear that the product cannot be assembled according to the 3D CAD data, the 3D CAD data can be corrected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-200082 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, verification of whether a product can be assembled according to the 3D CAD data is performed once the 3D CAD data, which is design information, is created. Once the 3D CAD data, which is design information, is created, it may not be easy to identify the parts to be corrected because the product of the 3D CAD data is composed of many parts. In this case, it is difficult to correct the 3D CAD data, and it is not easy to create 3D CAD data of a design drawing so that the product can be assembled as designed. Therefore, even if the technology described in Patent Document 1 is used, it may not be easy to create 3D CAD data of a design drawing so that the product can be assembled as designed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program that make it easy to create suitable design drawings using three-dimensional CAD. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the design support system of the present invention is a design support system that supports the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, the system including a processor and a storage device, the storage device storing a CAD data history storage database that associates and stores past CAD data created in the past with an assembly graph that represents an adjacency relationship between parts, and an ease of assembly value definition database that stores ease of assembly value definition data that is a standard for calculating an ease of assembly value that represents ease of assembly, the processor extracts the past CAD data and the assembly graph of the past CAD data from the CAD data history storage database every time evaluation target CAD data in the middle of design is acquired at a predetermined time interval, calculates a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data, and based on the difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data, extracts all changed parts that have been changed from the past CAD data in the evaluation target CAD data and all of the changed parts the shape of the changed parts of the CAD data to be evaluated, calculate adjacency relationships between adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from each of the changed parts, as updated part adjacency relationships, generate an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data and the updated part adjacency relationships, calculate a disassembly order of parts in the CAD data to be evaluated based on the generated assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated, determine whether or not the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable based on the generated disassembly order, and if it is determined that the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable, calculate an ease of assembly value based on the ease of assembly value definition data stored in the ease of assembly value definition database, determine whether or not the ease of assembly value is equal to or less than an ease of assembly threshold value, and if it is determined that the ease of assembly value is greater than the ease of assembly threshold value, output a message indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the ease of assembly value.

[0007] Moreover, one aspect of a design support method for the design support system of the present invention is a design support method in a design support system that supports the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, in which a memory storage device of the design support system stores a CAD data history storage database that associates and stores past CAD data created in the past with an assembly graph that represents an adjacency relationship between parts, and an ease of assembly value definition database that stores ease of assembly value definition data that is a standard for calculating an ease of assembly value that represents the ease of assembly, and each time evaluation target CAD data during design is acquired at a predetermined time interval, the past CAD data and the assembly graph of the past CAD data are extracted from the CAD data history storage database, a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data is calculated, and based on the difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data, all changed parts and all changed parts that have been changed from the past CAD data in the evaluation target CAD data are extracted. the shape of the product, calculates adjacency relationships between adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from each of the changed parts in the CAD data to be evaluated as updated part adjacency relationships, generates an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data and the updated part adjacency relationships, calculates a disassembly order of parts in the CAD data to be evaluated based on the generated assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated, determines whether or not the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable based on the generated disassembly order, and if it is determined that the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable, calculates an ease of assembly value based on the ease of assembly value definition data stored in the ease of assembly value definition database, determines whether or not the ease of assembly value is equal to or less than an ease of assembly threshold value, and if it is determined that the ease of assembly value is greater than the ease of assembly threshold value, outputs a message indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the ease of assembly value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes easy to create suitable design drawings using three-dimensional CAD. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block diagram of a design support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a design support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a CAD data history storage database. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly ease definition database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an assembly performance database. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly performance evaluation result database. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a 3D CAD editing screen displayed on a 3D CAD device. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of editing applied to CAD data. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a design drawing evaluation process according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a changed part. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining parallel processing of the design support system. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a changed part display screen displayed on a 3D CAD device. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an unassembleable parts highlighting screen displayed on the 3D CAD device. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a work space insufficient part highlighting screen displayed on the 3D CAD device; [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an assembly time shortage display screen displayed on the 3D CAD device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The examples are illustrative for explaining the present invention, and are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural.

[0011] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings.

[0012] As examples of various information, the various information may be described using expressions such as "table," "list," and "queue," but the various information may be expressed using data structures other than these. For example, various information such as "XX table," "XX list," and "XX queue" may be expressed as "XX information." When describing identification information, expressions such as "identification information," "identifier," "name," "ID," and "number" are used, but these are mutually interchangeable.

[0013] When there are multiple components having the same or similar functions, they may be described by using the same reference numerals with different subscripts, or when there is no need to distinguish between these multiple components, the subscripts may be omitted.

[0014] In the embodiments, a process performed by executing a program may be described. Here, a computer executes the program using a processor (e.g., CPU, GPU), and performs the process defined by the program while using a storage resource (e.g., memory) and an interface device (e.g., communication port), etc. Therefore, the subject of the process performed by executing the program may be the processor. Similarly, the subject of the process performed by executing the program may be a controller, device, system, computer, or node having a processor. The subject of the process performed by executing the program may be a calculation unit, and may include a dedicated circuit that performs specific processing. Here, the dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), etc.

[0015] The program may be installed in the computer from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable storage medium. When the program source is a program distribution server, the program distribution server may include a processor and a storage resource that stores the program to be distributed, and the processor of the program distribution server may distribute the program to be distributed to other computers. In addition, in the embodiment, two or more programs may be realized as one program, and one program may be realized as two or more programs. EXAMPLES

[0016] The design support system 1 of the embodiment is a system that evaluates the CAD data to be evaluated, which is a design drawing of an assembly, every time the CAD data to be evaluated is acquired at a predetermined time interval, and outputs the evaluation result.

[0017] <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a design support system 1 in an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the design support system 1 is connected to a 3D CAD device 2 and a parallel processing device 3 via a network NW.

[0018] The 3DCAD device 2 can execute a 3DCAD program. A product designer can design a product by having the 3DCAD device 2 execute the 3DCAD program. The 3DCAD device 2 can operate in cooperation with the design support system 1 via the network NW. When the 3DCAD device 2 executes the 3DCAD program and a product designer designs a product, the 3DCAD device 2 is set to transmit evaluation target CAD data, which is a design drawing at that time, to the design support system 1 via the network NW at predetermined time intervals. The 3DCAD program of the 3DCAD device 2 may be incorporated into the design support system 1, so that the design support system 1 also functions as the 3DCAD device 2. Conversely, a design drawing evaluation program (to be described in detail later) possessed by the design support system 1 may be installed in the 3DCAD device 2, and the design drawing evaluation program may be executed in cooperation with the 3DCAD program of the 3DCAD device 2 by the 3DCAD device 2.

[0019] The parallel processing device 3 is connected to the design support system 1 via a network NW, and can perform parallel processing using virtual machines in a scalable manner using multiple computers and cloud technology, so that calculation-intensive evaluations of large-scale assembled products can be performed in a short period of time.

[0020] The network NW may be a wired network or a wireless network. The network NW may be a global network such as the Internet, or a local area network (LAN). Instead of the network NW, the design support system 1 and the 3D CAD device 2 may use a wired communication path such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or a wireless communication path such as Bluetooth.

[0021] 1, the design support system 1 includes a design drawing evaluation unit 11. The design support system 1 also stores a CAD data history storage database 21, an assembly ease definition database 22, an assembly performance database 23, and an assembly ease evaluation result database 24.

[0022] The design drawing evaluation unit 11, details of which will be described later using the flowchart of Figure 9, performs a design drawing evaluation process in which, upon receiving CAD data to be evaluated, which is a design drawing transmitted from the 3D CAD device 2 via the network NW at predetermined time intervals, the design drawing evaluation unit 11 evaluates the CAD data to be evaluated as follows.

[0023] The design drawing evaluation unit 11 calculates the adjacency relationship between parts of the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated (details will be described later), and generates an assembly graph (details will be described later) of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the calculated adjacency relationship between the parts. Next, the design drawing evaluation unit 11 calculates a disassembly order based on the generated assembly graph. Next, the design drawing evaluation unit 11 judges whether or not the CAD data to be evaluated has an assembly possibility (details will be described later) based on the calculated disassembly order. If it is judged that the CAD data to be evaluated has an assembly possibility, the design drawing evaluation unit 11 calculates an assembly ease value (details will be described later). If it is judged that the assembly ease value is greater than the assembly ease threshold value, the design drawing evaluation unit 11 outputs a message indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly ease value.

[0024] In the following, the adjacency relationship between parts, the assembly graph, the disassembly direction, the assembling possibility, the assembly ease value (work space value, assembly time value), and the like will be explained.

[0025] When part A is in surface contact with part B, the degree of freedom of movement of parts A and B is reduced by the contact between parts A and B. Also, when part B is located near part A, the range in which parts A and B can move is limited by the proximity of parts A and B. In this way, two parts that are within a certain distance of each other are constrained.

[0026] Adjacency relationships between parts refer to the types of constraints between parts. There are the following types of adjacency relationships, for example: 1. "No constraint," where the parts are separated by more than a specified distance and there is no constraint. 2. "Plane constraint," where the normal to a plane of one part and a plane of another part are within the allowable dimensional range, and the distance between these planes is adjacent and within the allowable dimensions. 3. "Cylinder constraint," where a cylinder (for example, a male threaded part) and a cylinder (for example, a female threaded part) are in a coaxial relationship within the allowable dimensions, and the difference in the diameters of the cylinders is within the allowable dimensions. 4. "Cylindrical plane constraint," where the normal to the plane and the axis of the cylinder are in a perpendicular relationship within the allowable dimensional range, and the distance from the axis of the cylinder to the plane and the radius of the cylinder are within the allowable dimensional range.

[0027] An assembly graph is a graph that represents the adjacency relationships between parts. For example, in an assembly graph, each part in CAD data is represented by a node, and the nodes between parts that constrain each other are connected by edges. In an assembly graph, edges represent the adjacency relationships between parts that constrain each other.

[0028] The disassembly direction is the direction in which parts are removed when disassembling an assembly into parts. The assembly direction is the direction in which parts are assembled when assembling. The assembly direction is the opposite of the disassembly direction.

[0029] Assemblability means that the assembly of the CAD data contents can be assembled as designed. When there is assemblability, the assembly of the CAD data contents can be assembled as designed. On the other hand, when there is no assemblability, the assembly of the CAD data contents cannot be assembled as designed.

[0030] The assembly ease value is a value that represents the degree of ease of assembling an assembly of the target CAD data from parts with respect to a predetermined ease of assembly condition. Examples of the assembly ease value include a workspace value and an assembly time value, which will be described below. When the assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value, it can be considered that assembling an assembly designed with the target CAD data from parts is easy with respect to the predetermined ease of assembly condition. On the other hand, when the assembly ease value is greater than the assembly ease threshold value, it can be considered that assembling an assembly designed with the target CAD data from parts is not easy with respect to the predetermined ease of assembly condition.

[0031] The workspace value is a type of assembly ease value, and indicates the degree of ease of securing the workspace required for all parts when assembling an assembly designed using the target CAD data from its parts.

[0032] The workspace value is, for example, the number of parts for which workspace cannot be secured when assembling. The workspace ease threshold is set to 0. When the workspace value is equal to or less than the workspace ease threshold (workspace value≦0), it can be considered that the workspace required for assembly can be easily secured for all parts when assembling an assembly designed with the target CAD data from parts. On the other hand, when the workspace value is greater than the workspace threshold (workspace value>0), it can be considered that the workspace required for assembly cannot be easily secured for all parts when assembling an assembly designed with the target CAD data from parts.

[0033] The assembly time value is a type of assembly ease value, and is a value that indicates the degree of ease of assembly in terms of the time required to assemble an assembly designed using the target CAD data from parts. In this embodiment, the assembly time value is an estimated time required to assemble an assembly from parts.

[0034] When the assembly time value is equal to or less than the time-based ease of assembly threshold (assembly time value≦time-based ease of assembly threshold), the time required to assemble the assembly designed with the target CAD data is sufficiently short, and it can be considered that it is easy in terms of time to assemble the assembly designed with the target CAD data from its parts. On the other hand, when the assembly time value is greater than the time-based ease of assembly threshold (assembly time value>time-based ease of assembly threshold), the time required to assemble the assembly designed with the target CAD data is too long, and it can be considered that it is not easy in terms of time to assemble the assembly designed with the target CAD data from its parts.

[0035] The CAD data history storage database 21, the details of which will be described later using FIG. 3, is a database that stores CAD data created in the past during design, information such as the shape of each part, an assembly graph showing the adjacency relationships between parts, and an assembly sequence, etc., in association with each other.

[0036] The assembly ease definition database 22, the details of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, is a database that stores assembly ease value definition data that serves as a standard for calculating an assembly ease value that indicates the ease of assembly.

[0037] The assembly performance database 23, details of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, is a database that stores a plurality of assembly 3D models made up of a plurality of parts in association with the assembly time (average performance value) required to assemble the assembly 3D models.

[0038] The assembly performance evaluation result database 24, the details of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, is a database in which the design support system 1 stores the evaluation results of the CAD data.

[0039] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the design support system 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the design support system 1 has a processor 31, a main memory device 32, a sub-memory device 33, an input device 34, an output device 35, a network I / F 36, and a bus 37 connecting these. The design support system 1 can be realized by a general information processing device such as a PC or a server computer.

[0040] The processor 31 reads data and programs stored in the secondary storage device 33 into the primary storage device 32 and executes processing defined by the programs. The processor 31 also has multiple cores 31a. The processor 31 can perform parallel processing by having each core 31a perform processing in parallel.

[0041] The main memory device 32 includes a volatile memory element such as a RAM, and stores the programs executed by the processor 31 and data.

[0042] The secondary storage device 33 is a device having a non-volatile storage element such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores programs, data, etc. The secondary storage device 33 stores the above-mentioned CAD data history storage database 21, assemblability definition database 22, assembly performance database 23, and assemblability evaluation result database 24.

[0043] In addition, the design drawing evaluation program 11a is installed in the sub-storage device 33. The design drawing evaluation unit 11 described above with reference to Fig. 1 is realized by the processor 31 reading the design drawing evaluation program 11a stored in the sub-storage device 33 into the main storage device 32 and executing it.

[0044] The input device 34 is a device such as a keyboard or a mouse that accepts user operations and acquires information input by the user's operations. The output device 35 is a device such as a display that outputs information and presents information to the user by displaying it on a screen, for example.

[0045] The network I / F 36 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from devices such as the 3DCAD device 2 and the parallel processing device 3 via the network NW. In other words, the network I / F 36 is a transmitting / receiving device capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the 3DCAD device 2 and the parallel processing device 3 via the network NW. The design support system 1 can use the network I / F 36 to transmit and receive data to and from devices such as the 3DCAD device 2 and the parallel processing device 3 that are connected to the network NW.

[0046] The 3DCAD device 2 and the parallel processing device 3 can be configured using the same hardware resources as the design support system 1 .

[0047] <Various data structures> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the CAD data history storage database 21. The CAD data history storage database 21 shown in Fig. 3 includes a CAD data ID 301, a time-series ID 302, a unit ID 303, a data classification 304, a data item 305, and a value 306.

[0048] The CAD data ID 301 is an ID for identifying the CAD data of the design drawing. CAD data having the same CAD data ID 301 are CAD data created to design the same product.

[0049] Time-series ID 302 is an ID that identifies the time-series in which the CAD data was saved. In the example of Fig. 3, time-series ID 302 is data of the date and time when the CAD data was saved. Time-series ID 302 may be the order in which the CAD data was saved (an integer value that is increased by 1 in chronological order). Unit ID 303, data classification 304, data item 305, and value 306 are associated with time-series ID 302.

[0050] The unit ID 303 is an ID for roughly classifying and identifying information included in the CAD data. The unit ID 303 includes an ID for identifying a part included in the CAD data, an "assembly graph", an "assembly sequence", and an "assembly 3D model".

[0051] Data classification 304 indicates classification of various data for each part. Data classification 304 shown in Fig. 3 includes part attributes, shape information, part placement information, part configuration, and part adjacency relationships. Data items 305 are detailed items in each data classification 304.

[0052] When the data classification 304 is part attribute, the data item 305 includes data items of information on part attributes such as part name, part type, material, etc. When the data classification 304 is shape information, the data item 305 includes data items of information on the shape of the part such as volume, surface area, and bounding box.

[0053] When data classification 304 is part placement information, data item 305 includes data items of information on how each part is placed in three-dimensional space, such as part origin, part x-axis, part y-axis, and part z-axis.When data classification 304 is part configuration, data items of information on hierarchical relationships between parts, such as parent parts and child parts, are included.When data classification 304 is inter-part adjacency relationships, data items of information on adjacency relationships between parts (constraint information), such as constraint type, constrained part ID, and constraint surface normal are included.

[0054] Value 306 is the value for data item 305, unit ID "assembly graph", "assembly sequence" or "assembly 3D model".

[0055] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the assemblability definition database 22. The assemblability definition database 22 shown in Fig. 4 includes a definition ID 401, an assemblability definition type 402, a description 403, and a value 404.

[0056] The definition ID 401 is associated with the assembly ease definition type 402, and is an ID for identifying settings related to assembly ease values ​​(for example, a working space value, an assembly time value).

[0057] The assembly ease definition type 402 is a type of information for calculating an assembly ease value. Examples of the assembly ease definition type 402 include a "work space" when calculating a work space value and an "assembly time threshold" when calculating an assembly time value.

[0058] The explanation 403 is an explanation of the information for calculating the ease of assembly value. The explanation 403 can be referred to when the device user sets the value 404 of the ease of assembly value.

[0059] The value 404 is a value for calculating the assembly ease value. The value 404 can be set by a user of the 3D CAD device 2.

[0060] 4, the definition ID 401 is 1, and the value 404 of the assembly ease definition type 402 is "work space, screw (three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates)" is a value that defines, using three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates, the work space of an electric screwdriver that assists in assembly work for a part whose part type is "screw." In this way, the assembly ease definition database 22 includes information on part types in the assembly ease definition type 402, so that the design support system 1 can set a work space for each part type.

[0061] Moreover, the value 404 of the definition ID 401 being 2 and the assembly ease definition type 402 being “work space, screw (three-dimensional cylindrical coordinates)” is a value that defines, using three-dimensional cylindrical coordinates, the movable area of ​​an arm for performing automatic assembly by a robot arm for a part whose type is “screw”. Moreover, the value 404 of the definition ID 401 being 3 and the assembly ease definition type 402 being “work space, screw (three-dimensional polar coordinates)” is a value that defines, using three-dimensional polar coordinates, the movable area of ​​an arm for performing automatic assembly by a robot arm for a part whose type is “screw”.

[0062] The values ​​404 of definition IDs 401 of 1 to 3 including "work space" in assemblability definition type 402 described above are values ​​(work space information) that define the work space in processing when the assemblability value is the work space value, as described below. Also, although assemblability definition type 402 includes information on part type "screw", values ​​that define the work space for parts with part types other than "screw" are also stored in assemblability definition database 22.

[0063] On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the value of definition ID 401=n and assembly ease definition type 402=“assembly time threshold” is a value that defines the assembly time threshold (threshold for labor hours) in processing when the assembly ease value is the assembly time value, as described below.

[0064] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the assembly performance database 23. The assembly performance database 23 shown in Fig. 5 includes a performance ID 501, a performance type 502, an assembly 3D model ID 503, an assembly 3D model configuration 504, and an average performance value 505.

[0065] The result ID 501 is an ID for identifying the assembly result data, and is associated with the assembly 3D model configuration 504 .

[0066] The result type 502 indicates the type of result data required for assembly.

[0067] The assembled 3D model 503 is an ID for identifying the assembled 3D model configuration 504 and indicates the assembled 3D model name of the assembled 3D model configuration 504.

[0068] The assembly 3D model configuration 504 is the configuration of the assembly 3D model, and is information that specifies the parts that make up the assembly 3D model, arranged in the order of assembly. The assembly 3D model configuration 504 includes information on the configuration of the assembly 3D model created from CAD data of the design drawings of a product manufactured in the past, and information on the assembly order of the parts of the assembly 3D model when the product is manufactured.

[0069] The average performance value 505 is the time (average value) required to assemble the assembled 3D model during manufacturing of the assembled 3D model of the assembled 3D model configuration 504. In other words, the average performance value 505 is the assembly time required to assemble the assembled 3D model of the assembled 3D model configuration 504.

[0070] The assembly 3D model configuration 504 and the average performance value 505 do not have to be created based on the CAD data of the design drawing. The user may appropriately set the assembly 3D model configuration 504 and estimate the average performance value 505 (assembly time) based on the set assembly 3D model configuration 504.

[0071] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the assemblability evaluation result database 24. The assemblability evaluation result database 24 shown in Fig. 6 includes an evaluation result ID 601, a CAD data ID 602, a time-series ID 603, an assemblability evaluation 604, an ease of assembly evaluation 605, an evaluation reason 606, an assembly sequence 607, an assembly part ID 608, and an assembly destination part ID 609. The CAD data ID 602 ​​and the time-series ID 603 are associated with the CAD data ID 301 and the time-series ID 302 of the CAD data history storage database 21, an example of which is shown in Fig. 3.

[0072] The time series ID 603 is an ID for identifying the time series in which the CAD data is saved.

[0073] The assemblability evaluation 604 is the result of evaluation of the assemblability of the CAD data by the design support system 1. When the assemblability evaluation 604 is "possible", it indicates that the CAD data has been evaluated (determined) to be assemblable. On the other hand, when the assemblability evaluation 604 is "impossible", it indicates that the CAD data has been evaluated (determined) to be not assemblable.

[0074] The assembly ease evaluation 605 is the result of the design support system 1 evaluating whether or not the assembly is easy in terms of the assembly ease value when an assembly ease value is calculated for the CAD data to be evaluated. When the assembly ease evaluation 605 is "easy", it means that the CAD data has been evaluated (determined) to be easy to assemble in terms of the assembly ease value. On the other hand, when the assembly ease evaluation 605 is "difficult", it means that the CAD data has been evaluated (determined) to be not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly ease value.

[0075] The evaluation reason 606 is detailed information related to the assemblability evaluation 604 and the ease of assembly evaluation 605. The evaluation reason 606 may include information related to interference between parts that became clear when the design support system 1 calculated the ease of assembly value, information on the settings used to calculate the ease of assembly value, and the like.

[0076] An assembly sequence 607, an assembly part ID 608, and an assembly destination part ID 609 are information related to a method of assembling parts in the CAD data, obtained when the design support system 1 evaluates the CAD data. In addition to the data described above, the assemblability evaluation result database 24 may also include data such as the ID of a part where interference has occurred and a setting value used to calculate the assemblability value (for example, the value 404 in the assemblability definition database 22).

[0077] <Processing Procedure> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure of the design support system 1. The design support system 1 acquires 3D CAD data, which is a design drawing created by a product designer using a 3D CAD device 2, at predetermined time intervals, and evaluates the 3D CAD data.

[0078] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a 3D CAD editing screen displayed on the 3D CAD device 2 when a product designer edits 3D CAD data that is a design drawing in the middle of designing. As shown in Fig. 7, a schematic perspective view of an assembly 701 being edited is displayed on the 3D CAD editing screen 700. As shown in Fig. 7, the assembly 701 is made up of a part 702 and a part 703. The part 702 and the part 703 are joined to each other.

[0079] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the editing applied to the CAD data on the 3D CAD editing screen 700 in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of an assembly 801 of the CAD data after editing.

[0080] Assembly 801 shown in Fig. 8 is an assembly in which changed parts 804, 805, and 806 are attached to assembly 701 in which parts 702 and 703 shown in Fig. 7 are joined. Changed part 804 is screwed to part 703 by changed part (screw) 805. Changed part 806 is joined to part 702. Parts 804p, 805p, and 806p shown by two-dot chain lines in Fig. 9 are changed parts 804, 805, and 806 before being attached to assembly 801.

[0081] The procedure for assembling the changed parts 804, 805, and 806 into the assembly 701 is, for example, first to move part 804p having screw hole 804Ap to the side of part 703. Next, part (screw) 805p is inserted into screw hole 804Ap of part 804p, and part 804p is screwed to part 703. Finally, part 806p is joined to part 702. In this way, the design drawing evaluation process performed by the design support system 1 calculates the procedure for assembling parts for the CAD data being edited, and evaluates the CAD data.

[0082] The 3DCAD device 2 is preset to transmit the CAD data to be evaluated to the design support system 1 at a predetermined time interval when the 3DCAD program is executed. Here, the time interval may be, for example, an interval based on time such as 5 minutes or 1 hour, or an interval based on CAD operation such as every time the number of parts whose design has been changed reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10). Note that the design support system 1 may transmit a CAD data request signal to the 3DCAD device 2 at a predetermined time interval set in advance, and the 3DCAD device 2 that receives the CAD data request signal may transmit the CAD data to be evaluated to the design support system 1. As described above, the 3DCAD device 2 transmits the CAD data to be evaluated to the design support system 1 at a predetermined time interval set appropriately, so that the design support system 1 can evaluate the CAD data to be evaluated of the 3DCAD device 2 in real time.

[0083] When the design support system 1 receives CAD data to be evaluated from the 3DCAD device 2, it executes a design drawing evaluation process executed by the design drawing evaluation unit 11. That is, the design support system 1 executes the design drawing evaluation process every time it acquires CAD data to be evaluated that has been changed from previous CAD data at a predetermined time interval.

[0084] As described below, when the design support system 1 calculates an assembly graph, an assembly sequence of parts, and an ease of assembly threshold value for the CAD data to be evaluated in the design drawing evaluation process, it stores these in the CAD data to be evaluated in association with the CAD data to be evaluated in the CAD data history storage database 21 and the assemblability evaluation result database 24. Therefore, the design support system 1 can obtain the assembly graph, the assembly sequence of parts, the ease of assembly value (work space value and assembly time value in this embodiment) for past CAD data (CAD data that was previously set as the CAD data to be evaluated), and the CAD data to be evaluated from the CAD data history storage database 21 and the assemblability evaluation result database 24. In this way, the secondary storage device 33 stores the past CAD data below the ease of assembly threshold value in association with the assembly graph.

[0085] In the following, the design drawing evaluation process will be described using FIG. 9 with reference to FIGS.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a design drawing evaluation process of the design support system 1.

[0087] The design support system 1 stores the CAD data to be evaluated received from the 3D CAD device 2 in the CAD data history storage database 21, and reads out the past CAD data that is easy to assemble and its assembly graph and assembly sequence from the CAD data history storage database 21 (step S101). When storing the CAD data to be evaluated in the CAD data history storage database 21, for example, the following information is stored: CAD data ID. Time series ID. Unit ID is the ID of the part. Data classification 304 is the value 306 of the part attribute. Data classification 304 is the value 306 of part placement information. Data classification 304 is the value 306 of the part configuration.

[0088] The design support system 1 also reads out the past CAD data that is easy to assemble, and its assembly graph and assembly sequence from the CAD data history storage database 21 as follows. First, the design support system 1 extracts the CAD data ID 603 and the most recent time series ID 603 from the CAD data whose CAD data ID 602 ​​matches the CAD data to be evaluated, whose assembly feasibility evaluation 604 is "possible", and whose assembly ease evaluation 605 is "easy" from the assembly ease evaluation result database 24 shown in FIG. 6. Then, the design support system 1 reads out the CAD data information (unit ID 303, data classification 304, data item 305, value 306) from the CAD data history storage database 21 that corresponds to the extracted CAD data ID 602 ​​and time series ID 603. As described above, the design support system 1 reads out the past CAD data whose assembly ease thresholds (work space value, assembly time value) are equal to or less than the assembly ease thresholds (equal to or less than the work space threshold, equal to or less than the assembly time threshold) from the CAD data history storage database 21. In addition, instead of reading out past CAD data whose assembly ease value (work space value, assembly time value) is below the assembly ease threshold value (below the work space threshold value, below the assembly time threshold value), past CAD data (regardless of the value of the assembly ease value or ease of assembly) that has the same CAD data ID 603 as the CAD data to be evaluated and has been most recently stored in the CAD data history storage database 21 may be read out.

[0089] Next, the design support system 1 compares the previous CAD data read in step S101 with the CAD data to be evaluated, detects all changed parts in the CAD data to be evaluated that have been changed from the previous CAD data, and calculates the surface shape, etc. of each of the changed parts by parallel processing for all the detected changed parts (step S102).

[0090] A changed part is a part in the CAD data to be evaluated that has been changed from the previous CAD data. That is, a changed part is a part that has been significantly changed from the previous CAD data, a deleted part, or a new part that has been added. In step S102, the design support system 1 calculates the difference between the previous CAD data and the CAD data to be compared, and detects the changed part based on the difference. As described below, the design support system 1 detects the following as changed parts: newly added parts, changed assemblies, moved parts, rotated parts, resized parts, deformed parts, and deleted parts. A deleted part is a part that has been deleted from the previous CAD data. For example, a change history included in the CAD data may be used to detect the changed parts.

[0091] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining examples of changed parts. Fig. 10 shows a newly added part 1001, a configuration changed assembly 1002, a moving part 1003, a rotating part 1004, a size changed part 1005, and a transforming part 1006 as examples of changed parts.

[0092] A newly added part 1001 is a part that has been newly added from the previous CAD data.

[0093] Changed configuration assembly 1002 is an assembly whose configuration has been changed from the previous CAD data. Pre-change assembly 1002A shown in FIG. 10 is an assembly included in the previous CAD data. Pre-change assembly 1002A consists of parts A, B, and C. Changed configuration assembly 1002 after the change consists of parts A and B. Changed configuration assembly 1002 is obtained by removing part C from pre-change assembly 1002A, and part C is made independent. In this way, parts that have become independent due to a change in the configuration of the assembly are also included in the changed parts as a type of changed configuration assembly.

[0094] 10 is a part that has been moved from part 1003A indicated by a two-dot chain line. The moved part is a part whose position has been changed by more than a distance threshold from the previous CAD data. The distance threshold is a threshold related to distance. For example, the distance threshold is 1 mm.

[0095] A rotated part 1004 shown in Fig. 10 is a part rotated 90 degrees from a part 1004A indicated by a two-dot chain line. The rotated part is a part rotated by an angle threshold or more from the previous CAD data. The angle threshold is a threshold for the rotation angle. The angle threshold is, for example, 1 [deg].

[0096] A resized part 1005 shown in FIG. 10 is a part that has been reduced from part 1005A indicated by a two-dot chain line. A resized part is a part whose size has been changed from the previous CAD data by more than a size threshold. The size threshold is a size threshold. The size threshold may be, for example, a magnification / reduction ratio (e.g., 1%) in the CAD data to be evaluated, with the part size in the previous CAD data being set to 100%. The size threshold may also be, for example, a changed length (e.g., 1 mm) of the longest side of the part in the previous CAD data.

[0097] A deformed part 1006 shown in Fig. 10 is a part with a hole 1006A added in the center. A deformed part is a part that has been modified from previous CAD data. Deformations in deformed parts include deformations that reduce the volume, such as the addition of fillets, grooves, and holes, and deformations that increase the volume, such as the addition of bosses or ribs that add protrusions, and extending the length in one direction. When detecting a deformed part, for example, a part that has been deformed from the previous CAD data and has a change in volume of more than a volume threshold (for example, 1 ml) is considered to be a deformed part.

[0098] After the design support system 1 detects all changed parts as described above, the design support system 1 then uses the CAD data to be evaluated to calculate the surface shape, etc. of each of the detected changed parts through parallel processing.

[0099] 11 is a diagram for explaining the parallel processing of the design support system 1. The processor 31 of the design support system 1 has multiple cores 31a (see FIG. 2) and is capable of parallel processing. The design support system 1 may also prepare necessary data and perform parallel processing on virtual machines such as the parallel processing device 3 in a scalable form using multiple computers or cloud technology. This enables the design support system 1 to calculate the surface shape, etc. of the changed part at higher speed.

[0100] Furthermore, the design support system 1 can acquire information on the shape of the part, such as the part's volume, surface area, center of gravity, and bounding box (coordinates of the eight vertices of a rectangular parallelepiped that encloses the part), from the CAD data to be evaluated, in addition to the surface shape. The design support system 1 stores the acquired information on the shape, etc., in the CAD data history storage database 21. Here, the surface shape of each changed part is stored in the CAD data history storage database 21 as data item 305 with surface coordinate value 306.

[0101] 9, the design support system 1 judges whether or not one or more changed parts have been detected in step S102 (step S103). If it is judged that one or more changed parts have been detected in the CAD data to be evaluated (step S103: YES), the process proceeds to step S104, whereas if it is judged that no changed parts have been detected in the CAD data to be evaluated (step S103: NO), the CAD data to be evaluated can be considered as not having been changed from the CAD data to be evaluated in the past, and therefore the process ends.

[0102] Next, the design support system 1 outputs the changed parts display screen information to the network I / F 36, analyzes the adjacency relationship between each of the (all) changed parts by parallel processing, generates an assembly graph, and generates a disassembly sequence and an assembly sequence (step S104). Here, the design support system 1 outputs the changed parts display screen information to the network I / F 36 (transmission / reception device), and causes the network I / F 36 to transmit the changed parts display screen information to the 3DCAD device 2 via the network NW. The changed parts display screen information includes information identifying all changed parts, information on the configuration of the changed parts display screen to be displayed on the 3DCAD device 2, and information to cause the 3DCAD device 2 to display the changed parts display screen. The changed parts display screen is a screen that displays the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated, and highlights all changed parts.

[0103] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a changed part display screen displayed on the 3D CAD device 2. As shown in FIG. 12, a changed part display screen 1200 shows a schematic perspective view of an assembly 801 of the CAD data to be evaluated. As shown in FIG. 12, the assembly 801 is composed of parts 702 and 703 and changed parts 804, 805, and 806. In the changed part display screen of FIG. 12, the surfaces of the changed parts 804, 805, and 806 are hatched to emphasize that the changed parts 804, 805, and 806 are changed parts. In the example of FIG. 12, the changed parts are hatched, but the method of emphasizing the changed parts can be changed as appropriate. For example, the lines representing the outer shapes of the changed parts may be made thicker, or the color of the changed parts may be changed to a color such as red.

[0104] Then, for each of all changed parts, the design support system 1 detects adjacent parts within a predetermined adjacent distance from the changed part by parallel processing, calculates the inter-part adjacency relationship (type of constraint between parts) between the changed part and the adjacent parts as an updated part adjacency relationship by using a known technique, and stores the updated part adjacency relationship in the CAD data history storage database 21. Here, the design support system 1 performs parallel processing in the same manner as in step S102.

[0105] Furthermore, in the adjacency relationships between parts in the CAD data to be evaluated, other than the updated part adjacency relationship between the changed part and the adjacent part, the adjacency relationships between parts in the CAD data to be evaluated are the same as the adjacency relationships between parts in the past CAD data. Therefore, in the adjacency relationships of the CAD data to be evaluated, other than the updated part adjacency relationship between the changed part and the adjacent part, are copied from the adjacency relationships between parts in the past CAD data stored in the CAD data history storage database 21, and stored as values ​​for the evaluation CAD data in the CAD data history storage database 21. In this way, the design support system 1 can calculate the adjacency relationships between parts in the CAD data to be evaluated more quickly by using the adjacency relationships in the past CAD data.

[0106] Furthermore, the design support system 1 generates an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated by adding the updated part adjacency relationship to the assembly graph of the past CAD data (a graph showing the adjacency relationship between parts), and stores the generated assembly graph in the CAD data history storage database 21. The design support system 1 can generate an assembly graph by calculating the adjacency relationship between the changed part and the adjacent part (updated part adjacency relationship) using a known technique disclosed in, for example, JP 2019-209446 A. Here, the design support system 1 can generate an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated more quickly by generating an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data.

[0107] Then, the design support system 1 calculates the assembly sequence of parts in the CAD to be evaluated and the assembly direction for each part based on the assembly sequence of the past CAD data and the generated assembly graph of the CAD to be evaluated. Here, similar to the known technology, the design support system 1 analyzes the parts that can be removed and the disassembly direction for removing the parts based on the assembly graph, analyzes the disassembly sequence for disassembling into parts, and further generates the assembly sequence and assembly direction for assembling from the parts by tracing the disassembly sequence in reverse. The known technology is disclosed, for example, in JP2012-14569A and WO2015 / 177855A1.

[0108] The design support system 1 can calculate the assembly sequence of parts and the assembly direction of each part in the CAD to be evaluated more quickly by using the assembly sequence of the past CAD data. In this embodiment, the design support system 1 calculates, for example, the assembly sequence of parts and the assembly direction of each part in the CAD to be evaluated as follows.

[0109] The design support system 1 calculates the assembly sequence for one changed part and its adjacent parts as follows: The design support system 1 sets the frontmost adjacent part in the arrangement of parts in the assembly sequence of the past CAD data as the start part, and sets the rearmost adjacent part as the end part. The design support system 1 then calculates the disassembly order and disassembly direction of parts from the start part to the end part and the changed parts using the assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated, and calculates an assembly order with the disassembly order reversed, and an assembly direction with the disassembly direction reversed.

[0110] Here, in the process of calculating the disassembly order of parts in the CAD to be evaluated, the design support system 1 detects parts that interfere with surrounding parts, and if parts that interfere with surrounding parts are detected, generates a disassembly order up to the parts that interfere with the surrounding parts. Then, the parts that interfere with the surrounding parts are regarded as unassembleable parts that cannot be assembled, and the part IDs of the unassembleable parts are stored. In addition, an assembly order that reverses the disassembly order is also generated up to the parts that interfere with the surrounding parts.

[0111] Note that the assembly sequence and assembly direction of the changed parts and adjacent parts are calculated by grouping together a plurality of updated parts that are within a predetermined distance from each other and have a mutually restrictive adjacency relationship.

[0112] For example, suppose that in part of the assembly sequence of the past CAD data, the order of parts P1 to P5 is "P1->P2->P3->P4->P5" and the adjacent parts of updated parts N1 and N2, which are in a mutually restrictive relationship, are P2 and P4. The design support system 1 calculates the assembly sequence and assembly direction of the parts from adjacent part P2 to adjacent part P4, plus updated parts N1 and N2 (i.e., adjacent parts P2, P3, P4, and updated parts N1 and N2).

[0113] As described above, the design support system 1 calculates, for each changed part, the assembly sequence and assembly direction of the changed part and the parts surrounding the changed part (parts from the start part to the end part), and generates and stores the assembly sequence and assembly direction of the CAD data to be evaluated by combining the calculated assembly sequence and assembly direction with the assembly sequence and assembly direction of the past CAD data. Here, the assembly sequence of the CAD data to be evaluated is stored in the CAD data history storage database 21, where the unit ID is the value 306 of "assembly sequence". As described above, if an unassembleable part is detected in the process of calculating the disassembly sequence and assembly sequence, the part ID of the unassembleable part is stored.

[0114] 9, the design support system 1 determines whether the CAD data to be evaluated has an assembly possibility in step S104 (step S105). If it is determined that the CAD data to be evaluated has an assembly possibility (step S105: YES), the process proceeds to step S107, and if it is determined that the CAD data to be evaluated does not have an assembly possibility (step S105: NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0115] If the design support system 1 can generate an assembly sequence in step S104, it determines in step S105 that the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable. On the other hand, if the design support system 1 cannot generate an assembly sequence in step S104, the part ID of an unassembleable part is stored, and it determines in step S105 that the CAD data to be evaluated is not assemblable.

[0116] Next, the design support system 1 outputs to the network I / F 36 unassembleable part highlighting information including a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not assembleable, information specifying the unassembleable part, and a message to highlight and display the unassembleable part, and ends the process (step S106). Here, the design support system 1 outputs the unassembleable part highlighting information to the network I / F 36 (transmitting / receiving device), and causes the network I / F 36 to transmit the unassembleable part highlighting information to the 3D CAD device 2 via the network NW.

[0117] The unassembleable parts highlighting information includes information for identifying the unassembleable parts, information on the configuration of the unassembleable parts highlighting screen to be displayed on the 3DCAD device 2, and information to display the unassembleable parts highlighting screen on the 3DCAD device 2. The unassembleable parts highlighting screen is a screen that displays the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated, and also highlights the unassembleable parts.

[0118] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an impossible-to-assemble part highlighting screen displayed on the 3D CAD device 2. As shown in Fig. 13, an impossible-to-assemble part highlighting screen 1300 displays an impossible-to-assemble message 1301 and, similar to Fig. 8, a schematic perspective view of an assembly 1302 of the CAD data to be evaluated. The impossible-to-assemble message 1301 indicates that assembly is not possible using the CAD data to be evaluated.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 13, an assembly 1302 is made up of parts 702 and 703, and changed parts 804, 1305, and 806. The changed part 1305 is a screw, which is an unassembleable part. In the unassembleable part highlighting screen in FIG. 13, the surface of the unassembleable part (changed part) 1305, which is an unassembleable part, is hatched to emphasize that the changed part 1305 is an unassembleable part. In the example in FIG. 13, the unassembleable part is hatched, but the method of highlighting the unassembleable part can be changed as appropriate. For example, the line representing the outline of the unassembleable part may be made thicker, or the color of the unassembleable part may be changed to a color such as red.

[0120] The axial length of the male thread of the changed part 1305 is d. The distance between the changed part 804 and the part 702 required to attach the changed part 1305 is 0.7d. Therefore, the changed part 1305 cannot be attached. In the example of FIG. 13, as a result of generating an assembly sequence of the CAD data to be evaluated, when the changed part 804 is to be screwed to the part 703 using a screw (changed part 1305), the screw (changed part 1305) interferes with the part 702, making assembly impossible. Based on the unassembleable part highlighting screen shown in FIG. 13 as an example, the product designer can easily grasp the parts to be modified, such as modifying the shape of the part 702, so that the screw (changed part 1305) can be attached, and modify the CAD data that is the design drawing.

[0121] 9, the design support system 1 verifies the workspace for each peripheral part within a predetermined spatial distance from the changed part by parallel processing, and calculates a workspace value (step S107). Here, for each of all changed parts in the CAD data to be evaluated, interfering parts that cause workspace problems are detected by parallel processing as follows. Then, the design support system 1 calculates the number of peripheral parts and changed parts for which interfering parts have been detected as the workspace value. Therefore, the workspace value represents the number of parts for which it is not easy to secure a workspace. The design support system 1 also performs parallel processing in the same manner as in step S102.

[0122] First, the design support system 1 detects peripheral parts within a predetermined peripheral distance from the changed part. Then, the design support system 1 sets one of the peripheral parts and the changed part as the workspace verification part. Next, the design support system 1 sets a state in which there is a part that precedes the workspace verification part in the assembly order, and there is no part that follows the workspace verification part in the assembly order. In this state, the design support system 1 sets the surface shape of the workspace verification part to a workspace extended shape obtained by adding the workspace to the surface shape, detects an interfering part that interferes with the workspace verification part, and saves information (such as a part ID) that identifies the workspace verification part in which the interfering part was detected. This detection of interfering parts is repeated for each of the peripheral parts and the changed parts, and detection of interfering parts is performed for all peripheral parts and changed parts.

[0123] Here, the workspace is created by extracting the component type (screw, assembly component, etc.) of the workspace verification component from the CAD data history storage database 21, and setting the assembly ease definition type from the extracted component type to "work space, component type" (e.g., "work space, screw"). Then, the value 404 associated with the set assembly ease definition type is extracted from the assembly ease definition database 22 (see FIG. 4) and set as the workspace. Furthermore, the design support system 1 calculates the workspace expansion shape by adding the workspace to the surface shape of the workspace verification component, taking into account the assembly direction of the workspace verification component. For example, if the workspace verification component is a screw, the axial direction of the male thread portion becomes the assembly direction, and the workspace is added to the screw (work space verification component), taking into account the direction of the axial direction of the male thread portion (e.g., horizontal or vertical).

[0124] Next, the design support system 1 judges whether the workspace value calculated in step S107 is equal to or less than the workspace threshold (step S108). If it is judged that the workspace value is equal to or less than the workspace threshold (workspace value≦workspace threshold) (step S108: YES), the process proceeds to step S110. If it is judged that the workspace value is greater than the workspace threshold (workspace value>workspace threshold) (step S108: NO), the process proceeds to step S109. As described above, the workspace value calculated in step S107 represents the number of components for which it is not easy to secure a workspace. The workspace range value is "0". If it is judged that the workspace value is equal to or less than the workspace threshold (workspace value≦0) (step S108: YES), it can be considered that the workspace can be easily secured for all components (the number of components for which it is not easy to secure a workspace is 0).

[0125] Next, the design support system 1 outputs to the network I / F 36 workspace-insufficient part highlighting information including information that the evaluation target CAD data is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace, information identifying peripheral parts and changed parts with interfering parts detected, and information to highlight and display the peripheral parts and changed parts with interfering parts detected, and ends the process (step S109). Here, the design support system 1 outputs the workspace-insufficient part highlighting information to the network I / F 36 (transmitting / receiving device), and causes the network I / F 36 to transmit the workspace-insufficient part highlighting information to the 3D CAD device 2 via the network NW.

[0126] The workspace-deficient part highlighting information includes information for identifying peripheral parts and changed parts in which interfering parts have been detected, information on the configuration of a workspace-deficient part highlighting screen to be displayed on the 3DCAD device 2, and information for displaying the workspace-deficient part highlighting screen on the 3DCAD device 2. The workspace-deficient part highlighting screen is a screen that displays the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated, and also highlights peripheral parts and changed parts in which interfering parts have been detected.

[0127] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a work space insufficient parts highlighting screen displayed on the 3D CAD device 2. As shown in FIG. 14, the work space insufficient parts highlighting screen 1400 shows a work space insufficient message 1401 and a schematic perspective view of an assembly 1402 of the CAD data to be evaluated, similar to FIG. 8. The work space insufficient message 1401 indicates that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the work space. The work space insufficient message 1401 may also include information for identifying the assembling ease definition data regarding the work space of the peripheral parts and the changed parts in which an interfering part is detected. As shown in FIG. 14, the assembly 1402 is made up of parts 702 and 703, and changed parts 804, 1405, and 806. The changed part 1405 is a screw, which is a changed part in which an interfering part is detected. In the workspace-insufficient part highlighting screen in Fig. 14, the surface of changed part 1405, which is a changed part with which an interfering part has been detected, is hatched to emphasize that changed part 1405 is a changed part with which an interfering part has been detected. In the example of Fig. 14, the changed parts (peripheral parts and) with which an interfering part has been detected are hatched, but the method of highlighting the parts with which an interfering part has been detected can be changed as appropriate. For example, the line representing the outline of the part with which an interfering part has been detected may be made thicker, or the color of the part with which a small interfering part has been detected may be changed to a color such as red.

[0128] The axial length of the male thread of the changed part 1405 is d. The distance between the changed part 804 and the part 702 required to attach the changed part 1405 is 1.2d, and the axial length of the male thread of the changed part 1405 is longer than d. However, when the working space of the changed part 1405 is taken into consideration, the changed part 1405 cannot be attached. Based on the working space insufficient part highlighting display screen shown as an example in FIG. 14, the product designer can easily grasp the parts to be modified, such as modifying the shape of the part 702 so that the screw (changed part 1405) can be attached, and modify the CAD data, which is a design drawing. Furthermore, the designer can take measures such as reviewing the setting value of the assembly ease definition data.

[0129] 9, the design support system 1 divides the evaluation target CAD data into a plurality of assembly evaluation 3D models consisting of a plurality of parts, calculates the assembly time for each assembly evaluation 3D model based on the assembly record database 23, and calculates the sum of the calculated assembly times as the assembly time value (step S110). Here, all the assembly evaluation 3D models calculated by dividing the evaluation target CAD data are grouped together to form an assembly evaluation 3D model set.

[0130] The design support system 1 can divide the evaluation target CAD data into a plurality of assembly evaluation 3D models consisting of a plurality of parts, which are stored in the assembly record database 23, using, for example, the technology described in JP 2013-114484 A.

[0131] The design support system 1 can divide the CAD data to be evaluated into a plurality of assembly evaluation 3D models, for example, as follows. In the following, as an example, the CAD data to be evaluated is divided into assembly evaluation 3D models in which a fastening part, a fastened part, and a fixed part are grouped together. First, the fastening parts (screws, etc.) of the CAD data to be evaluated are extracted, and the fastened parts fastened by the extracted fastening parts and the fixed parts (parts having female threads, etc.) that hold the fastening parts are detected using an assembly graph. Then, the fastening parts, the fastened parts, and the fixed parts are grouped together to form an assembly evaluation 3D model. The design support system 1 can divide the CAD data to be evaluated into a plurality of assembly evaluation 3D models by repeating the calculation of the assembly evaluation 3D model in this manner.

[0132] Here, in step S104, the design support system 1 calculated the adjacent parts that constrain the updated part. Therefore, the design support system 1 generates an assembly evaluation 3D model for the changed part that combines a fastening part, a fastened part, and a fixed part with respect to the adjacent parts that constrain the updated part. Such an assembly evaluation 3D model for the changed part can be considered as an assembly evaluation 3D model for the difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the previous CAD data.

[0133] Then, the design support system 1 integrates information on the configuration of the assembly evaluation 3D model of the past CAD data stored in the CAD data history storage database 21 and information on the assembly evaluation 3D model related to the changed part generated as described above to calculate an assembly evaluation 3D model set of the CAD data to be evaluated. Furthermore, the design support system 1 stores the assembly evaluation 3D model set of the CAD data to be evaluated in the CAD data history storage database 21.

[0134] Furthermore, for each assembly evaluation 3D model in the assembly evaluation 3D model set, the design support system 1 refers to the assembly record database 23 to extract and store the assembly time associated with an assembly 3D model having the same configuration as the assembly evaluation 3D model. Then, the total assembly time of all the assembly evaluation 3D models is calculated as an assembly time value. The assembly time value is an estimated time required to assemble the assembly of the evaluation target CAD data from the parts.

[0135] For example, if it is determined that the CAD data to be evaluated is composed of a combination of 3D models 3 and 5 described in the assembly performance database 23 of FIG. 5, the assembly time value of the CAD data to be evaluated is calculated to be 1+0.5=1.5 (h).

[0136] 9, the design support system 1 judges whether the assembly time value calculated in step S110 is equal to or less than the assembly time threshold value (step S111). If it is judged that the assembly time value is equal to or less than the assembly time threshold value (assembly time value≦assembly time threshold value) (step S111: YES), the fact that the CAD data has been evaluated (judged) as being easy to assemble in terms of the assembly ease value is stored in the assembly ease evaluation result database 24, and the assembly ease value processing ends. On the other hand, if it is judged that the assembly time value is greater than the assembly time threshold value (assembly time value>assembly time threshold value) (step S111: NO), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0137] As described above, the assembly time value calculated in S110 represents an estimated time required to assemble the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated from parts. The value of the "assembly time range value" of the assembly easiness definition type in the assembly easiness definition database 22 is the assembly time range value. The design support system 1 reads out the assembly time range value from the assembly easiness definition database 22. If it is determined that the assembly time value is equal to or less than the assembly time threshold value (assembly time value≦assembly time threshold value) (step S111: YES), it can be considered that the time required to assemble the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated from parts is sufficiently short, and it can be considered that the assembly of the target CAD data can be easily assembled from parts. On the other hand, if it is determined that the assembly time value is greater than the assembly time threshold value (assembly time value>assembly time threshold value) (step S111: NO), it can be considered that the time required to assemble the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated from parts is too long.

[0138] Next, the design support system 1 outputs to the network I / F 36 insufficient assembly time information, including information that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time value and information that all changed parts are to be highlighted and displayed, and ends the process (step S112). Here, the design support system 1 outputs the insufficient assembly time information to the network I / F 36 (transmitting / receiving device), and causes the network I / F 36 to transmit the insufficient assembly time information to the 3D CAD device 2 via the network NW.

[0139] The assembly time deficiency information includes information identifying all changed parts, information on the configuration of the assembly time deficiency display screen to be displayed on the 3DCAD device 2, and information to cause the 3DCAD device 2 to display the assembly time deficiency display screen. The assembly time deficiency display screen is a screen that displays the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated, and highlights all changed parts.

[0140] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an assembly time shortage display screen displayed on the 3D CAD device 2. As shown in Fig. 15, an assembly time shortage display screen 1500 shows an assembly time shortage message 1501 and, similar to Fig. 8, a schematic perspective view of an assembly 1502 of the CAD data to be evaluated. The assembly time shortage message 1501 indicates that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of assembly time. The assembly time shortage message 1501 may include an assembly time threshold value or an assembly time value.

[0141] As shown in Fig. 15, an assembly 1502 is made up of parts 702 and 703, and changed parts 804, 805, and 806. In the assembly time shortage display screen in Fig. 15, the surfaces of all changed parts 804, 805, and 806 are hatched to highlight the changed parts. In the example in Fig. 15, the changed parts are hatched, but the method of highlighting the changed parts can be changed as appropriate. For example, the lines representing the outlines of the changed parts may be made thicker, or the color of the changed parts may be changed to a color such as red.

[0142] Based on the assembly time shortage display screen shown in Fig. 15, the product designer can revise the shape and configuration of the parts in the evaluation target data, add parts, and correct the CAD data, which is the design drawing. Furthermore, the designer can take measures such as revising the settings of the assembly ease definition data.

[0143] In this manner, in the embodiment, the design support system 1 can determine the assemblability (step S105) and calculate the assembly ease value (steps S107, S110) in parallel with the design work of the product designer, and provide early feedback on points that should be corrected in the design stage (steps S106, S109, S112). Therefore, the design support system 1 makes it easy to create suitable design drawings using 3D CAD.

[0144] Moreover, the design support system 1 judges whether or not the CAD data to be evaluated is assemblable every time the design support system 1 acquires CAD data to be evaluated that has been changed from the previous CAD data at a predetermined time interval (step S105). Then, when the design support system 1 judges that the assembly ease value (work space value, assembly time value) is greater than the assembly ease threshold value (work space threshold value, assembly time threshold value) (steps S108, S111), it outputs a message indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly ease value (steps S109, S112). The design support system 1 sets the predetermined time interval to be sufficiently short, thereby reducing the number of corrections to be made to the CAD data to be evaluated. This allows the product designer to evaluate the CAD data to be evaluated in real time, and the product designer to easily identify the corrections to be made to the CAD data to be evaluated.

[0145] In addition, the design support system 1 generates an assembly graph for the CAD data to be evaluated using an assembly graph of past CAD data that was created in the past, thereby making it possible to more quickly determine whether or not the CAD data to be evaluated has the possibility of being assembled.

[0146] Furthermore, the design support system 1 calculates the assembly easiness values ​​(work space threshold, assembly time threshold) based on the changed parts (steps S107, S110). This allows the design support system 1 to calculate the assembly easiness values ​​(work space threshold, assembly time threshold) at higher speed.

[0147] Furthermore, the design support system 1 regards as changed parts a newly added part added to the past CAD data, a configuration-changed assembly whose configuration has been changed from the past CAD data, a moving part whose position has been changed by more than a distance threshold from the past CAD data, a rotating part whose position has been changed by more than an angle threshold from the past CAD data, a size-changed part whose size has been changed by more than a size threshold from the past CAD data, a transformed part whose transformation has been applied from the past CAD data, and a deleted part whose size has been deleted from the past CAD data as changed parts. This allows the design support system 1 to appropriately detect changed parts.

[0148] In addition, the design support system 1 detects parts that cannot be assembled in the process of calculating the disassembly order in the CAD data to be evaluated (step S104), and if parts that cannot be assembled are detected, determines that the CAD data to be evaluated is not assemblable (step S105). This allows the design support system 1 to appropriately determine the assemblability.

[0149] Furthermore, when it is determined that assembly is not possible (step S105: NO), the design support system 1 outputs unassembleable part highlighting information including a message that assembly is not possible with the CAD data to be evaluated, information specifying the unassembleable parts, and a message to highlight and display the unassembleable parts (step S106, FIG. 13). This allows the product designer to easily grasp the parts to be corrected in the CAD data to be evaluated.

[0150] Furthermore, the design support system 1 calculates all changed parts and their shapes (step S102) based on past CAD data whose assembly ease values ​​are equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold (step S101), calculates updated part adjacency relationships for all changed parts (step S104), and generates an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data whose assembly ease values ​​are equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold and the updated part adjacency relationships (step S104). This allows the design support system 1 to reliably calculate the shapes of the changed parts and generate the assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated. Furthermore, the design support system 1 can generate the assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated more quickly.

[0151] Furthermore, the design support system 1 calculates the shape of each changed part by parallel processing (step S102), and calculates the adjacency relationship between each changed part and adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from the changed part as an updated part adjacency relationship by parallel processing (step S104). This enables the design support system 1 to calculate the shape of the changed part and the updated part adjacency relationship at higher speed.

[0152] Furthermore, the design support system 1 includes a workspace value as an assembly ease value, and when it is determined that the workspace value is greater than the workspace threshold value (step S108: NO), it outputs a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace (step S109). This allows the product designer to easily understand that the assembly of the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace.

[0153] Furthermore, the design support system 1 detects, for each changed part, peripheral parts of the changed part and interfering parts with respect to the changed part through parallel processing (step S107), thereby enabling the design support system 1 to calculate the workspace value at a higher speed.

[0154] Furthermore, the design support system 1 outputs workspace-insufficient part highlighting information including a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace, information identifying peripheral parts and changed parts with interfering parts detected, and a message to highlight and display the peripheral parts and changed parts with interfering parts detected (step S109, FIG. 14). This allows the product designer to easily grasp the parts to be corrected in the CAD data to be evaluated.

[0155] Furthermore, the design support system 1 includes an assembly time value as an assembly ease value, and when it is determined that the assembly ease value is greater than the assembly time threshold value (step S111: NO), it outputs a message indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time value (step S112). This allows the product designer to quickly grasp that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time, and to correct the CAD data to be evaluated.

[0156] In addition, the design support system 1 outputs assembly time shortage information including a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time value and a message to display all changed parts in an emphasized manner (step S112, FIG. 15). This allows the product designer to easily understand the parts of the CAD data to be evaluated that need to be corrected.

[0157] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are included. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 1: Design support system 2:3DCAD equipment 3: Parallel Processing Unit 11: Blueprint Evaluation Department 11a: Blueprint evaluation program 21: CAD data history storage database 22: Assemblability definition database 23: Assembly performance database 24: Assembly evaluation results database 31: Processor 32: Main memory 33: Secondary storage device 34: Input device 35: Output device 36: Network I / F 37: Bus

Claims

1. A design support system for supporting the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, comprising: A processor and a storage device, The storage device includes: a CAD data history storage database that stores past CAD data created in the past in association with an assembly graph that represents an adjacency relationship between parts; an assembly ease value definition database that stores assembly ease value definition data that is a standard for calculating an assembly ease value that represents ease of assembly; The processor, Each time the evaluation target CAD data during the design process is acquired at a predetermined time interval, Extracting the past CAD data and the assembly graph of the past CAD data from the CAD data history storage database; Calculating a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data; Calculating all changed parts in the evaluation target CAD data that have been changed from the previous CAD data and shapes of all the changed parts based on a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the previous CAD data; calculating, in the CAD data to be evaluated, an adjacency relationship between each of all the changed parts and adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from the changed parts as an updated part adjacency relationship; generating an assembly graph of the evaluation target CAD data based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data and the updated part adjacency relationship; Calculating a disassembly order of parts in the CAD data to be evaluated based on the generated assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated; Based on the generated disassembly order, it is determined whether or not the evaluation target CAD data has an assembly possibility; When it is determined that the evaluation target CAD data has an assembling possibility, an assembling ease value is calculated based on the assembling ease value definition data stored in the assembling ease value definition database; determining whether the ease of assembly value is equal to or less than an ease of assembly threshold value; When it is determined that the ease of assembly value is greater than the ease of assembly threshold value, an output is made indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the ease of assembly value. Design support system.

2. The design support system according to claim 1, The processor, Calculating the ease of assembly value based on the assembly ease value definition data stored in the assembly ease value definition database and all of the changed parts. Design support system.

3. The design support system according to claim 1, The processor, In the evaluation target CAD data, The changed parts are a newly added part added to the past CAD data, a configuration changed assembly whose configuration has been changed from the past CAD data, a moving part whose position has been changed from the past CAD data by a distance threshold or more, a rotating part whose position has been rotated from the past CAD data by an angle threshold or more, a size changed part whose size has been changed from the past CAD data by a size threshold or more, a transformed part whose transformation has been applied from the past CAD data, and a deleted part whose size has been deleted from the past CAD data. Design support system.

4. The design support system according to claim 1, The processor, detecting a part that interferes with a surrounding part as an unassembleable part in the process of calculating the disassembly order of the part in the CAD to be evaluated; When the unassembleable part is detected, it is determined that there is no possibility of assembling the CAD data to be evaluated. Design support system.

5. The design support system according to claim 4, The processor, When the unassembleable part is detected, outputting unassembleable part highlighting information including a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not assembleable, information identifying the unassembleable part, and a message to highlight the unassembleable part. Design support system.

6. The design support system according to claim 1, the CAD data history storage database stores past CAD data whose assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value in association with an assembly graph; The processor, extracting past CAD data whose assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value from the CAD data history storage database; A difference between the evaluation target CAD data and past CAD data in which the assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value is calculated; calculating, based on a difference between the CAD data to be evaluated and past CAD data in which the assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value, all changed parts that have been changed from the past CAD data in the CAD data to be evaluated and shapes of all the changed parts; generating an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on an assembly graph of past CAD data in which the assembly ease value is equal to or less than the assembly ease threshold value and the updated part adjacency relationship; Design support system.

7. The design support system according to claim 1, The processor, Detecting all of the changed parts in the evaluation target CAD data that have been changed from the previous CAD data based on the evaluation target CAD data and the previous CAD data; calculating a shape of each of the detected changed parts in parallel processing; calculating, for each of all the changed parts, an adjacency relationship between the changed part and adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from the changed part as an updated part adjacency relationship in parallel processing; Design support system.

8. The design support system according to claim 1, the assemblability value definition database stores, as assemblability value definition data, work space information including information on a work space for a part; The assembly ease value includes a working space value, The processor, generating an assembly sequence in which the disassembly sequence in the evaluation target CAD is reversed; in the CAD data to be evaluated, for each of all the changed parts, peripheral parts within a predetermined peripheral distance from the changed parts and each of the changed parts are set as a workspace verification part, and in a state in which there is a part that precedes the workspace verification part in the assembly order and there is no part that follows the workspace verification part in the assembly order, an interfering part that interferes with the workspace verification part that has been made into a workspace extended shape obtained by adding a workspace to a surface shape of the workspace verification part based on the workspace information is detected; Calculating the number of the peripheral parts and the changed parts in which the interfering parts are detected as the working space value; determining whether the workspace value is less than or equal to a workspace threshold; When it is determined that the workspace value is greater than the workspace threshold value, an output is made indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace. Design support system.

9. The design support system according to claim 8, The processor, detecting, for each of the changed parts, peripheral parts of the changed parts and the interfering parts with respect to the changed parts through parallel processing; Design support system.

10. The design support system according to claim 8, The processor, When it is determined that the workspace value is greater than the workspace threshold value, outputting workspace insufficient part highlighting information including a message that the evaluation target CAD data is not easy to assemble in terms of the workspace, information identifying peripheral parts and changed parts in which the interfering parts have been detected, and a message to highlight and display the peripheral parts and changed parts in which the interfering parts have been detected. Design support system.

11. The design support system according to claim 1, The ease of assembly value definition database stores an assembly time threshold as ease of assembly value definition data, The storage device further stores, as the assembly ease value definition data, an assembly performance database in which an assembly 3D model created by assembling a plurality of parts and an assembly time required for assembling the assembly 3D model are associated with each other and stored; The assembly ease value includes an assembly time value, The processor, Dividing the evaluation target CAD data into a combination of assembly evaluation 3D models created by assembling a plurality of parts; Calculating an assembly time for each assembly evaluation 3D model based on the assembly performance database; A sum of the assembly times of all the assembly evaluation 3D models is calculated as the assembly time value; determining whether the assembly time value is equal to or less than the assembly time threshold; When it is determined that the assembly time value is greater than the assembly time threshold value, an output is made indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time value. Design support system.

12. The design support system according to claim 11, The processor, When it is determined that the assembly time value is greater than the assembly time threshold value, outputting assembly time shortage information including a message that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the assembly time value and a message that all the changed parts are to be displayed in a highlighted manner. Design support system.

13. A design support method in a design support system that supports the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, comprising: The storage device of the design support system includes: a CAD data history storage database that stores past CAD data created in the past in association with an assembly graph that represents an adjacency relationship between parts; an assembly ease value definition database that stores assembly ease value definition data that is a standard for calculating an assembly ease value that represents ease of assembly; The processor of the design support system includes: Each time the evaluation target CAD data during the design process is acquired at a predetermined time interval, Extracting the past CAD data and the assembly graph of the past CAD data from the CAD data history storage database; Calculating a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data; Calculating all changed parts in the evaluation target CAD data that have been changed from the previous CAD data and shapes of all the changed parts based on a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the previous CAD data; calculating, in the CAD data to be evaluated, an adjacency relationship between each of all the changed parts and adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from the changed parts as an updated part adjacency relationship; generating an assembly graph of the evaluation target CAD data based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data and the updated part adjacency relationship; Calculating a disassembly order of parts in the CAD data to be evaluated based on the generated assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated; Based on the generated disassembly order, it is determined whether or not the evaluation target CAD data has an assembly possibility; When it is determined that the evaluation target CAD data has an assembling possibility, an assembling ease value is calculated based on the assembling ease value definition data stored in the assembling ease value definition database; determining whether the ease of assembly value is equal to or less than an ease of assembly threshold value; When it is determined that the ease of assembly value is greater than the ease of assembly threshold value, an output is made indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the ease of assembly value. Design support method.

14. A design support program executed by a processor of a design support system for supporting the design of a product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, The storage device of the design support system includes: a CAD data history storage database that stores past CAD data created in the past in association with an assembly graph that represents an adjacency relationship between parts; An assembly ease value definition database that stores assembly ease value definition data that is a standard for calculating an assembly ease value that indicates ease of assembly, The design support program is The design support system acquires evaluation target CAD data during design at a predetermined time interval, The processor, extracting the past CAD data and the assembly graph of the past CAD data from the CAD data history storage database; Calculating a difference between the evaluation target CAD data and the past CAD data; calculating, based on a difference between the CAD data to be evaluated and the previous CAD data, all changed parts that have been changed from the previous CAD data in the CAD data to be evaluated and shapes of all the changed parts; Calculating, in the CAD data to be evaluated, an adjacency relationship between each of all the changed parts and adjacent parts within a predetermined distance from the changed parts as an updated part adjacency relationship; generating an assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated based on the assembly graph of the past CAD data and the updated part adjacency relationship; Calculating a disassembly order of parts in the CAD data to be evaluated based on the generated assembly graph of the CAD data to be evaluated; determining whether or not the evaluation target CAD data has an assembly possibility based on the generated disassembly order; When it is determined that the evaluation target CAD data has an assemblability, an assemblability value is calculated based on the assemblability value definition data stored in the assemblability value definition database; determining whether the ease of assembly value is equal to or less than an ease of assembly threshold value; When it is determined that the ease of assembly value is greater than the ease of assembly threshold value, a message is output indicating that the CAD data to be evaluated is not easy to assemble in terms of the ease of assembly value. Design support program.

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