Assembly variation analysis of flexible curved surfaces based on Bézier curves

Abstract

Assembly variation analysis of parts that have flexible curved surfaces is much more difficult than that of solid bodies, because of structural deformations in the assembly process. Most of the current variation analysis methods either neglect the relationships among feature points on part surfaces or regard the distribution of all feature points as the same. In this study, the problem of flexible curved surface assembly is simplified to the matching of side lines. A methodology based on Bezier curves is proposed to represent the side lines of surfaces. It solves the variation analysis problem of flexible curved surface assembly when considering surface continuity through the relations between control points and data points. The deviations of feature points on side lines are obtained through control point distribution and are then regarded as inputs in commercial finite element analysis software to calculate the final product deformations. Finally, the proposed method is illustrated in two cases of antenna surface assembly.