Research and development of machinery and equipment focus on innovation of individual components and part of core technology, designers need to consult the manual again and again, and a lot of repetitive work was done. With the rapid development of computer technology, some simple parts libraries, standard parts libraries and part libraries are generated, but these libraries just can realize simple resource collection and original copy, personalized design and development capabilities cannot be provided. Virtual assembly technology is the important link in the process of complex mechanical equipment research and development, and how to realize intelligent and automated virtual assembly is regarded as an important way to improve efficiency of research and development. Establishment of standardized digital model resources and database was required, which was used as model base and information sources to realize intelligent virtual assembly technology. Aiming at the standardized construction of digital model of complex mechanical equipment, digital model holographic identification system based on the matterelement was put forward, and auxiliary identification method was given. Complex mechanical equipment was studied, its topology hierarchy was researched, the basic information of parts and assembly information was analyzed, the composition of basic and assembly matterelement was defined, the semantic information coding and identification rules of matterelement were enacted, creation of assembly reference elements and construction of digital holographic model identification system was completed. Auxiliary identification method of digital model identification was researched in order to achieve efficient and intelligent identification, and a humancomputer interaction platform which was suitable for holographic system was designed. The platform can achieve the functions of rapid extraction and interpret assembly information, assembly related information can be converted to matterelement code, and automatic identification, intelligently auxiliary model identification was completed and assembly reference element was created. Test results showed that digital holographic model identification system and auxiliary identification method was feasible and effective, quick and effective identification method was provided for designers. It also set the base for complex mechanical equipment digital design system which combined with professional knowledge.