Evaluating different strategies to achieve the highest geometric quality in self-adjusting smart assembly lines

Digital twin-driven productions have opened great opportunities to increase the efficiency and quality of production processes. Smart assembly lines are one of these opportunities in which the effects of geometric variations of the mating parts on the assemblies can be minimized. These assembly lines utilize different techniques, including selective assembly and locator adjustments, to improve the geometric quality. This paper signifies that the achievable improvements through these techniques are highly dependent on the utilized fixture layout for the assembly process. Hence, different design methods and productions that can be followed in a smart assembly line are discussed. Furthermore, different scenarios are applied to two industrial sample cases from the automotive industry. The aptest design strategy for each improvement technique is determined. Moreover, the strategy that can result in the highest geometric quality of assemblies through a smart assembly line is defined.