Virtual reality is a technology which is often regarded as a natural extension to 3D computer graphics with advanced input and output devices. This technology has only recently matured enough to warrant serious engineering applications. The integration of this new technology with software systems for engineering, design, and manufacturing will provide a new boost to the field of computer-aided engineering. One aspect of design and manufacturing which may be significantly affected by virtual

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... ity is design for assembly. This paper presents a research effort aimed at creating a virtual assembly design environment. Research Goals The overall goals of the research described in this paper are 1) to develop models, tools, and environments supporting assembly of mechanical components; 2) to aid in design for assembly, design for maintainability, and assembly planning; and 3) to assist in the development of assembly relevant standards. A sub-goal is to investigate requirements for effective assembly modeling in utilizing the STEP 1 standard, and to participate in the development of STEP extensions. PROBLEM STATEMENT The capabilities and functionality of the next generation of CAD systems will undergo vast changes due to technological advances in: 1) high-performance computing and communication, 2) the focus on the conceptual design phase, and 3) the use of advanced technologies such as VR. High-Performance Computing and Communication (HPCC) With the emergence of high performance computing, communication, and visualization, new avenues for improvement are opening up to the design engineering community. This improved communication has lessened the impact of physical distances on design tasks and has resulted in reconsideration of design projects where design tasks are geographically dispersed. Computationally intensive analysis and visualization models that were previously considered unwieldy and too complex to be used are being re-examined. The rapid evolution of highperformance computing and communication clearly puts increasing pressure on design application developers and users to maintain pace to ensure the greatest positive impact on the product design process. Focus on the Conceptual Design Phase Marketplace pressures are forcing decreased product life cycle costs, maintained/improving product quality, and reduced time to design and fabricate the product. This requires that the product design take place in an environment which supports collaboration between multiple functional disciplines and provides access to advanced design tools. Few design tools address methods to assist the designer in the conceptual stage of design, yet companies are now 1 STEP -Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data