## 1 Introduction
Once technology enabled the use of the 3D product model in the assembly process, research was conducted demonstrating how the 3D product model could be used in the assembly process planning, assembly design, and assembly shop floor execution processes (referred to in individual and in aggregate as \"the assembly process\" for the sake of brevity in this paper). This can be done by integrating the 3D product model with assembly line bal  
Figure 1: 3D product model in the assembly process: literature review. ancing via process consumption and leveraging the 3D product model in the link between the Bill of Process and the Bill of Materials including Model/Option dependency [18; 35]. A similar approach includes the creation of a digital mock-up to transmit models and attribute data between the Engineering Bill of Materials and the Process (or Manufacturing) Bill of Materials and serve as a unified data source in assembly planning [19]. By implementing such approaches, the use of the 3D product model in assembly processes allows for engineers to check the product's configuration for assemblability [20]. The 3D product model can also be used on the shop floor to enhance shop floor work instructions, improve process planning, and increase efficiency of assembly work [21; 22]. Each of these studies indicate ways that companies can utilize the 3D product model developed by design teams in assembly processes. Given that some research has shown that such a feat is possible, then, the question becomes whether industry sees value in using the 3D product model beyond product design, and if so, in what areas industry believes value exists. The objective of this research is to evaluate the use of 3D product models in assembly planning, assembly design, and assembly shop floor execution. 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. 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 process beyond the engineering design. To illustrate an example, Figure 2 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. 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 3 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. The paper explores the value organizations see in implementing the 3D product model in assembly processes. This paper will go through the methodology and results of a survey that was conducted to understand the value that organizations are seeing by implementing the 3D product model in assembly processes. The paper concludes with a review on the value of 3D product model use in assembly processes based on the survey results and a discussion on future research recommendations. Figure 2: Assembly process using written work instructions.