Physically Based Modelling for Evaluating Shape Variations

In the designing of mechanical products, it is important to analyze the causal relationship between variations in part’s shapes and their effects on the product’s functionality. Computer simulations are promising design tools for evaluating those effects. This paper describes our attempt to apply physically based modelling methods to implement simulations, in particular, those for calculating the contact states of an assembly of simple parts and its motion. These simulations adopt simplified physical models, since their real physical phenomenon involves numerous complex factors. In this sense, the simulations do not necessarily reflect real physical behaviors, but the results of the simulations are considered helpful for designers to qualitatively grasp the relationship between behaviors of an assembly and variations in part’s shapes.