assembly Instructions

Exploded view and steps for assembling a compressor cover .

Assembly instructions for a piece of furniture with components, connecting elements and tools.

An assembly instruction is an aid for the installation of prefabricated parts. It contains information on proper joining , handling and, if necessary, the testing and adjustment of a finished product such as a machine or a piece of furniture .

Instructions are particularly necessary if final assembly, installation, erection or fastening at the place of use has to be carried out by technicians or customers who are not familiar with the product. Together with the operating instructions , the assembly instructions are part of the technical documentation . The EN 61355 standard counts the assembly instructions as "instructions and manuals" (DC).

content

Assembly instructions are divided into work steps in a fixed sequence and in most cases contain graphic representations of the components, intermediate steps and the finished product, often as an exploded view . It includes lists of components and required auxiliary materials , the required tools and, depending on the target audience, advice and warnings about risks associated with the assembly.

The Machinery Directive prescribes assembly instructions for "incomplete machines" (ie assemblies intended for installation ). It must state "which conditions must be met so that the partly completed machine can be assembled properly with the other parts to form a complete machine without impairing the safety and health of persons."

After the so-called IKEA clause one is under German law defect in a product before, when its installation instructions are deficient.

media

In addition to the classic instructions in paper form, video instructions are becoming increasingly popular, either as films or as animation. In addition to the manufacturers, do-it-yourselfers and hobbyists also make their ideas available on video platforms on the Internet.

Interactive 3D instructions are available for the tablet, mobile phone or PC. There the components can be viewed without CAD software . Of course, the individual construction steps are also shown here, and the paths for assembly are shown with lines. By turning, the customer is able to see the object to be assembled from all sides.

literature

• Lars Kothes: Basics of technical documentation. Create instructions that are understandable and conform to standards, Springer, Berlin 2010. ISBN 978-3642146688

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Official Journal of the European Union, June 9, 2006, L157 / 70, Annex VI.
2. ↑ Detail³ http://www.detailhoch3.de/technische-gestaltung/flexible-board/