# Quantitative Model for the Value of the 3D Product Model Use in Production Processes
###### Abstract  
Prior research has shown qualitatively that organizations can increase the value created in their production and assembly processes through the implementation of three-dimensional (3D) product models in those processes. This paper moves beyond qualitative value to develop and calibrate a quantitative model for the value of 3D product model use in production and assembly processes. The principal contributions of this research are development of the quantitative model and determination of the quantitative value of deploying the 3D product model in assembly and production processes; findings developed through interviews with industry experts in industrial and systems engineering to gather the model inputs, calculate the outputs, and then calibrate the model with those industry experts. These results are then compared against the qualitative value categories from prior research to determine the alignment in order and magnitude with the quantitative model results. This paper concludes with a recommendation of where both industry and academia focus future implementation efforts and research based upon the associated results demonstrated in both the qualitative and quantitative model on the value of 3D product model use in assembly and production processes. s 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021  
The authors note that the 3D product model can have a large array of meanings from the virtual computer-aided design (CAD) model, to a digital mock-up, to a digital twin, or even a physical 3D model. As noted in the authors' prior work, the 3D product model application focused on in this paper is the value of bringing the virtual CAD model and digital 3D assembly mock-up to the assembly and production process beyond the engineering design. The example below was provided previously in the authors' published work, _\"Value of the 3D Product Model Use in Assembly Processes: Process Planning, Design, and Shop Floor Execution\"_ and is included here again to give the reader a sense for an example of the type of application of the 3D product model the research is targeting [1]. \"Figure 1 shows an assembly process where a fire truck is being built. Each octagon represents a station on the assembly line; some operations are completed by operators (the blue dots in the figure), and others are completed by robots. In Figure 1a the operators have written work instructions which they use to know what parts to assemble and where to assemble those parts as different models and options of the fire truck progress down the assembly line. Figure 1b shows this same assembly line, but the written work instructions are replaced with 3D product models (virtual CAD models) of the part with visual assembly guidance. This is an example application of the 3D product model in the assembly process.\" [1]. Figure 1: Assembly process: (**a**) using written work instructions; (**b**) deploying the 3D product model to the shop floor. Reprinted with permission from [1]. Copyright 2021 MDPI. While deploying the 3D product model to the shop floor via visual work instructions is not the only way in which the 3D product model can be used in the production and assembly processes, it does demonstrate one example that creates value in some of the areas discussed in this paper, such as quicker operator training and less time updating work instructions. Other examples of the 3D product model applications in assembly and production processes include linking the 3D product model to the precedence diagram and checking for part interferences following engineering change orders, using the combination of the 3D product model and the precedence diagram to visualize how the assembly changes through the production process, and seeing the impact of changes made during the line balancing process represented by visual changes to 3D product model assembly [24].