CAD modeling for the components made of multi heterogeneous materials and smart materials

There appear more critical requirements for special functions of components/products in various areas, which can be satisfied only by using heterogeneous materials and/or smart materials. The heterogeneous materials include composite materials, functionally graded materials, and heterogeneous materials with a periodic microstructure. To design and manufacture the components made of these materials, the computer models for representing them need first to be built so that further analysis, optimization and manufacturing can be implemented based on the models. This paper develops such a modeling method, which can be implemented by employing the functions of current CAD graphic software and obtain the model that includes all the material information (about periodic microstructures, constituent composition, inclusions, and embedded parts) along with geometry information in 3D solid modeling without the problem arising from too much data.     

Feature-based representational scheme of a solid modeler for providing dimensioning and tolerancing information

Presently available CAD data models have no problem handling the basic shape design of an object as required but they are not properly manufacturing-oriented. It is not possible to represent the dimensioning and tolerancing information or other technological information (such as material data, the surface roughness and accuracy data, feature information, etc.). This paper discusses the requirements of a new CAD data model and proposes a feature-based representation scheme based on the hybrid CSG/B-Rep data structure. This hybrid structure exploits the advantages of both CSG and B-Rep models in representing tolerance information. A relational graph structure (face-based data model of B-Rep) of the object is maintained at each hierarchical level of object construction for associating tolerance and other attributes.     

T 样条用于计算机辅助设计、分析和制造的 新型表示方法

几何造型主要研究在计算机环境下几何模型的表示与设计,其是计算机辅助设计、工程和制造领 域中重要的基础研究方向。当前工业制造中几何模型表示的标准是非均匀有理 B 样条(NURBS)。然而,由于张量 积拓扑结构,NURBS 在表示复杂几何模型时具有难以克服的局限性。T 样条是一种新型兼容 NURBS 的自由曲面 造型表示技术。由于克服了 NURBS 的多个重要的局限,T 样条自提出后引起了学术界和工业界的极大关注。为 了使国内外同行对 T 样条的发展历程和研究现状有一个较为全面的了解,对其进行系统综述。在广泛文献调研的 基础上,对 T 样条的定义、基础算法,以及在计算机辅助设计、工程和制造中的应用进行归纳总结和详细分析, 重点分析了这些算法的基本思想和原理,比较了其优点和不足。由于工业界对几何表示的精度和效率的要求越来 越高,导致 T 样条的研究仍然不完善,还存在大量亟待解决的问题和可能的发展方向。     

Repairing CAD model errors based on the design history

For users of CAD data, few things are as frustrating as receiving unusable, poor quality data. Users often waste time fixing or rebuilding such data from scratch on the basis of paper drawings. While previous studies use the boundary representation (B-Rep) of CAD models, we propose an approach to repairing CAD model errors that is based on the design history. CAD model errors can be corrected by an interdependency analysis of the feature commands or of the parametric data of each feature command, as well as by a reconstruction of the feature commands through rule-based reasoning of an expert system. Unlike other correction methods based on B-Rep models, our method repairs parametric feature models without translating them to a B-Rep shape, and it also preserves parametric information.     

Integration of CAD and boundary element analysis through subdivision methods

Subdivision methods have been mainly used in computer graphics. This paper extends their applications to mechanical design and boundary element analysis (BEA), and fulfills the seamless integration of CAD and BEA in the model and representation.Traditionally, geometric design and BEA are treated as separate modules requiring different representations and models, which include continuous parametric models and discrete models. Due to the incompatibility of the involved representations and models, the post-processing in geometric design or the pre-processing in BEA is essential. The transition from geometric design to BEA requires substantial effort and errors are inevitably introduced during the transition. In this paper, a framework of realizing the integration of CAD and BEA was first presented based on subdivision methods. A common model or a unified representation for geometric design and BEA was created with subdivision surfaces. For general 3D structures, automatic mesh generation for geometric design and BEA was fulfilled through subdivision methods. The seamless integration improves the accuracy of numerical analysis and shortens the cycle of geometric design and BEA.     

多孔模型设计方法

多孔模型质量轻,且具有优秀的力热磁等复合性能。采用多孔模型有望突破传统设计极限,获得综合性能优异的机械部件,满足先进工业级产品对结构的极致物理性能追求。近年来,增材制造技术的发展与成熟,大幅推动了多孔模型的工业应用,多孔模型已经在航空航天部件、医疗器械等重要装备或仪器中发挥出独特且卓越的工业价值。因此,以多孔模型设计方法为落脚点,分别从基于几何建模的多孔模型正向设计方法、基于拓扑优化的多孔模型逆向设计方法 2方面阐述相关工作。前者论述了多孔模型的离散体素表示、连续参数表示、连续隐式表示、其他及混合表示等建模方法,后者论述了多孔模型微结构单元优化设计方法、多孔模型结构设计方法,并探讨了2方面多孔模型设计的发展趋势。     

IKOOPPS: an intelligent knowledge-based object-oriented process planning system for the manufacture of progressive dies

Abstract: This article describes an intelligent knowledge-based object-oriented process planning (IKOOPP) system for the manufacture of progressive die plates. A die assembly is designed using a variety of standardised components based on a computer-aided design (CAD) system. A feature recognition module extracts all the pertinent geometrical properties and functional attributes of each machining feature from the CAD representation models. These properties and attributes are converted into an object-oriented representation. Knowledge of the functions of the machining feature allows process planning information to be automatically deduced. Specialised tool engineering knowledge are formulated as production rules or procedures to establish the required set of cutting tools, together with the machining allowances and sequence of operations.     

基于网络本体语言的三维计算机辅助设计主模型相似性计算方法

为了提高三维计算机辅助设计(CAD)模型重用效率,针对当前三维模型检索系统中语义表达不足问题,提出了一种基于网络本体语言(OWL)表示模型语义的相似性计算方法。首先,将三维CAD产品主模型转化成以概念属性特征为基础语义对象的结构化表示模型;然后,从OWL表示模型中提取用于评价两个模型相似性的特征语义信息,构建可量化的相似元集,借助子图同构思想和Tversky算法给出了一种加权相似性计算方法;最后,通过实例验证了所提方法的有效性和可行性。实验的定量评价结果表明,该评价基准从对象本身转为两个对象特性的语义描述,能够客观反映两对比模型的相似程度。     

Design of object-oriented database for the definition of machining operation sequences of 3D workpieces

This paper describes the activities of Object-Oriented (OO) analysis that were implemented in order to obtain a high part representation level and to give sets of structured and hierarchical data to the Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) system. The OO modeling activities were carried out by using the Object-Oriented System Analysis (OOSA) method which allows careful specification of all the information contained inside the system. All the models used by this method have been described in detail to show how the OO database is defined and how it can be used by a generative CAPP system. The feature model proposed is defined by taking all the part information that can be recognized and extracted from the Computer Aided Design (CAD) model into account. The result is the design of an OO database which allows the CAPP system to use manufacturing features to define machining operation sequences of 3D workpieces. The approach proposed is generic enough to integrate any geometrical forms which can be recognized and identified from the CAD system. Hole geometry is taken as an example to show the link between the step of OO analysis and the step of knowledge representation in the Expert System which has been used to generate machining cycles. The OO database presented makes up a real solution of CAD/CAPP/CAM integration by using feature modeling.     

Visualized CAD models of objects made of a multiphase perfect material

A component, which has a perfect combination of different materials (including homogeneous materials and different types of heterogeneous materials) in its different portions for a specific application, is considered as the component made of a multiphase perfect material. After design of such a component according to the requirements from a specific application, a CAD model for representing it should be built so that its further analysis and manufacturing can be implemented based on the model. According to a new modeling method, this paper further presents the approaches of retrieving and visualizing all the necessary information of each layer of a component from its CAD model. The information includes: (1) 2D geometric boundary of each material region on each layer; (2) volume fraction of each material constituent for each position in each material region; and (3) 2D geometric boundaries of void phases of base cells in material regions with a periodic microstructure. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate both geometric and material information on the layers, thus verifying the proposed approach.     

Design parameterization and tool integration for CAD-based mechanism optimization

This paper presents an open and integrated tool environment that enables engineers to effectively search, in a CAD solid model form, for a mechanism design with optimal kinematic and dynamic performance. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of such an environment, design parameterization that supports capturing design intents in product solid models must be available, and advanced modeling, simulation, and optimization technologies implemented in engineering software tools must be incorporated. In this paper, the design parameterization capabilities developed previously have been applied to support design optimization of engineering products, including a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). In the proposed environment, Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks are supported for product model representation, DADS (Dynamic Analysis and Design System) is employed for dynamic simulation of mechanical systems including ground vehicles, and DOT (Design Optimization Tool) is included for a batch mode design optimization. In addition to the commercial tools, a number of software modules have been implemented to support the integration; e.g., interface modules for data retrieval, and model update modules for updating CAD and simulation models in accordance with design changes. Note that in this research, the overall finite difference method has been adopted to support design sensitivity analysis.     

Efficient wave-based acoustic material design optimization

We present a novel approach for optimizing acoustic parameters using sensitivity analysis for computer-aided design and analysis of architectural models. Our approach builds on recent low-dispersion wave-based acoustic solvers that can accurately compute the pressure field in large models. We present an efficient technique to compute the gradient of the pressure field using automatic differentiation and combine that with a quasi-Newtonian optimization method to automatically compute the optimal material properties. We highlight the performance on many complex CAD models to optimize the strength and clarity acoustic parameters, and thereby improve the acoustic characteristics of large models. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first practical and accurate approach for acoustic material optimization of large indoor CAD models.     

多学时制图课程融入三维CAD 的教学探讨

针对机械类多学时传统制图教学中如何融入三维CAD 教学的问题,分析 了其融入的形式和特点,归纳了工程图表达中与投影相悖的表示法,提出分两步走的方法： 首先以传统制图内容与三维CAD 相互支撑的融合式教学,然后以三维CAD 为主线的独立 式教学相结合。在教学上,可通过Inventor 三维建模的实践,提高学生的工程图表达能力、 创新思维能力和构型能力,以适应现代设计和制造的要求。     

Simultaneous and incremental feature-based multiresolution modeling with feature operations in part design

This paper proposes a new feature-based multiresolution modeling approach that can provide multiresolution representation of dynamically changing CAD models of intermediate design stage. Feature-based multiresolution modeling provides simplified shapes of parts of various levels of detail (LOD) by suppressing the detailed features according to a certain LOD criterion. Unlike previous research having mainly focused on the multiresolution representation of the final design model, our approach can carry out simultaneous and incremental multiresolution representation on the intermediate design models. To implement the system supporting this capability, we developed history-based selective Boolean operations, in which if the order of the Boolean operations for a part is altered, the regions affected by the operations are redefined according to the history of the Boolean operations so that the resultant shape may be the same as the original shape of the part. The system implemented using these operations guarantees a unique and valid shape for each intermediate LOD in the simultaneous multiresolution modeling environment. Since the system provides the designer immediately with various detail levels of the CAD model in any design stage, the design process is expected to be accelerated.     

Automatic synthesis of uncertain models for linear circuit simulation: A polynomial chaos theory approach

A generalized and automated process for the evaluation of system uncertainty using computer simulation is presented. Wiener–Askey polynomial chaos and generalized polynomial chaos expansions along with Galerkin projections, are used to project a resistive companion system representation onto a stochastic space. Modifications to the resistive companion modeling method that allow for individual models to be produced independently from one another are presented. The results of the polynomial chaos system simulation are compared to Monte Carlo simulation results from PSPICE and C++. The comparison of the simulation results from the various methods demonstrates that polynomial chaos circuit simulation is accurate and advantageous. The algorithms and processes presented in this paper are the basis for the creation of a computer-aided design (CAD) simulator for linear networks containing uncertain parameters.     

Meshing complexity: predicting meshing difficulty for single part CAD models

This paper proposes a method for predicting the complexity of meshing computer aided design (CAD) geometries with unstructured, hexahedral, finite elements. Meshing complexity refers to the relative level of effort required to generate a valid finite element mesh on a given CAD geometry. A function is proposed to approximate the meshing complexity for single part CAD models. The function is dependent on a user defined element size as well as on data extracted from the geometry and topology of the CAD part. Several geometry and topology measures are proposed, which both characterize the shape of the CAD part and detect configurations that complicate mesh generation. Based on a test suite of CAD models, the function is demonstrated to be accurate within a certain range of error. The solution proposed here is intended to provide managers and users of meshing software a method of predicting the difficulty in meshing a CAD model. This will enable them to make decisions about model simplification and analysis approaches prior to mesh generation.     

Solid model edit distance: a multi-application and multi-level schema for CAD model retrieval

We present the solid model edit distance(SMED),a powerful and flexible paradigm for exploiting shape similarities amongst CAD models.It is designed to measure the magnitude of distortions between two CAD models in boundary representation(B-rep).We give the formal definition by analogy with graph edit distance,one of the most popular graph matching methods.To avoid the expensive computational cost potentially caused by exact computation,an approximate procedure based on the alignment of local structure sets is provided in addition.In order to verify the flexibility,we make intensive investigations on three typical applications in manufacturing industry,and describe how our method can be adapted to meet the various requirements.Furthermore,a multilevel method is proposed to make further improvements of the presented algorithm on both effectiveness and efficiency,in which the models are hierarchically segmented into the configurations of features.Experiment results show that SMED serves as a reasonable measurement of shape similarity for CAD models,and the proposed approach provides remarkable performance on a real-world CAD model database.     

Analysis neutral data structure for GD&;T

The fundamental issue for automatic geometric tolerance analysis is the representation model, which should, in conjunction with CAD models, accurately and completely represent the GD&T specification according to the GD&T standards. Furthermore, such a representation model should facilitate GD&T validation and tolerance analysis. Most GD&T representation models proposed so far are specific to the tolerance analysis method. Common tolerance analysis methods are min/max chart, Monte Carlo simulation and multivariate regions. This paper will propose a semantic GD&T model, which can be used for any of these methods. The model is a super constraint-tolerance-feature-graph (SCTF-Graph). This paper will demonstrate how the SCTF-Graph model can represent all the tolerance types in the standards, and can contain all the information that is needed for tolerance analysis: nominal geometry (i.e. trimmed features in this research), constraints, tolerances, degrees of freedom (DoFs) to be controlled, assembly hierarchy, and their respective inter-relationships. This paper will discuss the content of the model, how it can be automatically created from the CAD model containing GD&T information (e.g. attributed B-Rep model), and the implementation of such a model, along with some case studies.     

Feature suppression based CAD mesh model simplification

Dynamic simulation and high quality FEA mesh generation need the CAD mesh model to be simplified, that is, suppressing the detailed features on the mesh without any changes to the rest. However, the traditional mesh simplification methods for graphical models can not satisfy the requirements of CAD mesh simplification. In this paper, we develop a feature suppression based CAD mesh model simplification framework. First, the CAD mesh model is segmented by an improved watershed segmentation algorithm, constructing the region-level representation required by feature recognition. Second, the form features needing to be suppressed are extracted using a feature recognition method with user defined feature facility based on the region-level representation, establishing the feature-level representation. Third, every recognized feature is suppressed using the most suitable one of the three methods, i.e. planar Delaunay triangulation, Poisson equation based method, and the method for blend features, thus simplifying the CAD mesh model. Our method provides an effective way to make CAD mesh model simplification meet the requirements of engineering applications. Several experimental results are presented to show the superiority and effectivity of our approach.     

Design engineering—a need to rethink the solution using knowledge based engineering

This paper discusses the current limitations of Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools and reports on the use of knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) in the creation of a concept development tool, to organise information flow and as an architecture for the effective implementation of rapid design solutions. The KBE tool along with supporting analytical solutions has been applied to the Body-In-White area of automotive design. The present methods of using CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) systems do not use a unified product/process model representation and lead to the creation of separate non-relation data models that only capture the result of the engineering process. The KBE method unifies the engineering intent into a single model that allows for existing or novel design solutions to be assessed. These design solutions can then represent themselves in the correct form to the analysis systems. Automeshing is achieved using a rule-base that meshes the model with respect to the analysis solution required, materials and processes.