Assembly Modeling is Computer-Aided Design (CAD) of multiple models/files that represent components within a product. The components within an assembly are represented as solid or surface models.
The individual data files describing the 3D Model of individual components are assembled together through a number of sub-assembly levels to create an assembly describing the whole product. All CAD systems support this form of bottom-up construction.
Components can be positioned within the product assembly using absolute coordinate placement methods or by means of mating conditions. Mating conditions are definitions of the relative position of components between each other; for example alignment of axis of two holes or distance of two faces from one another. The final position of all components based on these relationships is calculated using a geometry constraint engine built into the CAD program.
The importance of Assemly Modeling in achieving the full benefits of the ability to visualize the assembly mockup with the ability to measure, analyze, simulate, design and redesign.The image shown here is a sample of an exploded assembly. This assembly courtesy of Innovative Equine Systems