Assembly Work Instructions

Use 3D data to visualize processes, accelerate the creation of work instructions, and shorten lead time to production.

Challenges in Creating Work Instructions

Cannot Start Authoring Until Mockups are Available

Manufacturing instructions are usually created using mockups after all design, prototyping, and assembly verification has been completed. Therefore, if delays or rework occur during the design or assembly verification process, the creation of manufacturing work instructions will also be delayed. In order to reduce the development lead time, you want to start at an earlier stage, but it is not always easy to start creating manufacturing instructions using the pre-released design data.

Manual Authoring Takes a Lot of Time

In order to create easy-to-understand manufacturing instructions, it is necessary to use multiple images and photographs to document the precise operations. However, the work of creating images, taking pictures, collecting them, and inserting them into the document is extremely time-consuming.

Updating Work Instructions when the Design Changes is Expensive

When design changes occur, updating the work instructions is also a manual process.  It requires new drawings and photographs, as well as manual work to change the instructions.  To do it correctly requires knowledge of the design intent, the manufacturing process, and the documentation itself.  It is high-skilled, precise work. For major updates, it may be faster to recreate the work instructions from scratch.

Inadequate Work Instructions Cause Errors in Overseas Production

At overseas production sites, linguistic and cultural barriers can make work instructions difficult to understand.  Work instructions that rely on text, pictures, and verbal information may not accurately convey the original intent to audiences with different backgrounds and experiences.  As a result, production errors and rework can increase the cost of overseas production.

 

XVL Solves Problems with Work Instructions

Create Work Instructions Using 3D Data

With XVL, you can automate the creation process of manufacturing work instructions by utilizing your 3D models (all major CAD formats are supported, including SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, and Siemens NX) and its manufacturing process data. Since XVL does not require mockups, you do not have to wait to begin the authoring process.  You can start authoring work instructions as soon as the 3D model is available  In this way, XVL enables you to front-load the authoring process and shorten production lead time.

 

Accelerate the Authoring Process by Automatically Publishing Work Instructions

With XVL, you just need to create the work instruction document template. XVL tools will then automatically insert the 3D models and process data to publish the final document. This significantly reduces authoring time compared to manually creating and arranging images and typing work procedures.

Publish in Multiple Formats

XVL-based work instructions can be published in multiple formats for multiple platforms.  Create online instructions in HTML and WebGL.  Create offline documents including 2D and 3D PDF and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.  From a single XVL model, you can publish work instructions for viewing on PCs, mobile devices and even paper.

Automatically Update Work Instructions to Reflect Design Changes

With XVL, it’s just as easy to update work instructions as it is to create them in the first place.  Design changes are automatically reflected in the XVL model, and the new model can be used to update the work instructions.  There is no need to manually update the work instructions; just republish and you are good to go.

 

Visual Instructions Reduce Errors in Overseas Production

Providing clear manufacturing instructions to overseas production sites can be a challenge. Language and cultural barriers can make it difficult to convey subtle nuances of assembly processes, especially in text. XVL enables you to create visual work instructions with images and 3D animations.  You can also add text, photos and markups as needed to clarify the intent.  Rich, visual instructions transcend language and cultural barriers and are easier to understand, reducing production errors and making them the ideal work instructions for overseas production sites.

Include Harness Installation Procedures in Work Instructions

3D CAD models often do not contain wire/harness information. With XVL Studio, you can add wires/harnesses to your XVL model. This makes it possible to visualize the harness installation procedures in your XVL-based work instructions.

XVL Product Configuration for Manufacturing Work Instructions

XVL Studio Series

	XVL Studio Standard	Routing option
Create visual work instructions using 3D data	✓
Automatically publish work instructions	✓
Publish to multiple document formats	✓
Automatically update work instructions	✓
Visualize harness installation procedures	✓	✓

Lattice3D Reporter

	Main Product	Template option
Create visual work instructions using 3D data	✓	✓
Automatically publish work instructions	✓	✓
Publish work instructions in MS Excel format	✓	✓
Automatically update work instructions	✓	✓
Visualize harness installation procedures	✓	✓

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