In the definition of assembly, which of the following actions is included?

The definition of assembly inherently involves bringing together various components that have been specifically designed to fit together, which is why combining compatibly designed parts is the correct focus. In the context of manufacturing and metal cutting, assembly encompasses the process of joining parts to create a complete and functional product. This action relies on parts being compatible with one another, ensuring that they work effectively together in their intended application.

The other options are tangential and do not align with the primary concept of assembly. Separating components is an action that might occur during disassembly or preparation but does not contribute to the assembly process itself. Cutting materials into specific shapes is related to fabrication rather than assembly, as this process occurs before parts are combined. Measuring components for accuracy is an important quality control step, but it precedes assembly and does not define the act of assembling parts together. Thus, the emphasis on combining parts is what delineates assembly as a critical phase in manufacturing.