ISO 21143-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Technical product documentation — Requirements for digital mock-up virtual assembly test for mechanical products. This International Standard specifies requirements and guidance for conducting a digital mock-up virtual assembly test (VAT) intended to verify fit, clearance, interference, assembly sequences and ergonomics of mechanical products using 3D nominal models prior to physical production.

Abstract

This document defines the objectives, input data requirements, procedures and expected outputs for a digital mock-up virtual assembly test (VAT). Its purpose is to enable early detection and resolution of fit, clearance and interference issues, to validate assembly sequences and to improve on-site assembly efficiency by validating assemblies virtually using theoretically exact 3D nominal models. The standard is applicable to mechanical products where 3D models represent nominal geometry for virtual verification.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: February 2020 (Edition 1, 2020-02).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 21.020 (Mechanical engineering; technical product documentation).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2020-02).
• Number of pages: 15 pages (ISO published edition).

Key bibliographic and status information derived from the ISO publication record for ISO 21143:2020.

Scope

ISO 21143:2020 specifies requirements for planning and executing a digital mock-up virtual assembly test (VAT) for mechanical products. It covers the definition of test objectives, required input data (3D nominal models), the virtual assembly procedure, methods for detecting and classifying interferences, clearance and fit issues, validation of assembly sequence and basic ergonomics checks. The standard is intended to support virtual verification prior to physical prototyping and to improve downstream assembly processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and objectives of a virtual assembly test (VAT).
• Input data requirements: use of 3D nominal models with theoretically exact geometry and necessary metadata.
• Test planning: defining assembly scope, acceptance criteria and pass/fail conditions.
• Virtual assembly procedures: procedures for simulating part mating, motion and assembly sequences.
• Interference, clearance and fit checking: methods to detect, classify and record issues.
• Ergonomics and accessibility checks relevant to assembly operations.
• Reporting and documentation of results, including recommended outputs for technical product documentation.
• Recommendations for integration with CAD/DMU workflows and supplier validation processes.

Topics and practical applications summarized from the standard and industry guidance for DMU/VAT practice.

Typical use and users

Typical users include design and mechanical engineers, CAD/DMU practitioners, manufacturing and process engineers, assembly planners, technical product documentation teams, quality and validation engineers, and suppliers involved in pre-production validation. The standard is used when virtual verification of assemblies (fit, sequence, ergonomics) is required to reduce physical prototyping, catch integration issues early, and optimise on-site assembly processes.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related ISO standards include ISO 17599 (Technical product documentation — General requirements of digital mock-up for mechanical products) and ISO 16792 (Technical product documentation — Digital product definition data practices). These provide broader DMU practices and digital product definition rules that complement the VAT-specific requirements in ISO 21143:2020.

Keywords

digital mock-up (DMU), virtual assembly test (VAT), virtual prototyping, CAD, technical product documentation, interference checking, clearance, fit, assembly sequence, ergonomics, pre-production validation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21143:2020 is an International Standard that specifies requirements for conducting a digital mock-up virtual assembly test (VAT) for mechanical products to verify fit, clearance, interference and assembly sequences using 3D nominal models.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers objectives and planning of VAT, required input data (3D nominal models), virtual assembly procedures, detection and classification of interferences and clearances, ergonomics checks, and reporting/documentation of results to support pre-production validation and improved on-site assembly.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Design and mechanical engineers, CAD/DMU teams, manufacturing and process engineers, assembly planners, technical documentation teams, quality/validation engineers and suppliers performing virtual assembly verification and pre‑production checks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 21143:2020 is the published edition (Edition 1, published February 2020). Users should check ISO or their national standards body for any subsequent revisions or reviews; ISO standards are normally reviewed every five years.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the ISO technical product documentation (TPD) family and complements other DMU and digital product definition standards such as ISO 17599 and ISO 16792 rather than forming a numbered multi-part series itself.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Digital mock-up, virtual assembly test, VAT, DMU, CAD, interference checking, assembly sequence, ergonomics, technical product documentation.