Collaborative Design in PDM / 3D CAD Integrated Environment

Some key issues in supporting collaborative design in product data management（PDM ） system and 3D computer aided design（CAD） system integrated environment are analyzed. The general architecture of the integrated environment is divided into five tiers and employs the transparently integrated mode, with the mode, function calling and information exchanging among independent PDM and CAD processes are carried out via message translation /parse approach. Product layout feature（PLF ） model definition is presented, PLF model is used to represent design intention at the preliminary design phase. The collaborative design methodology employing the PLF model in PDM/3D CAD integrated environment is analyzed. The design methodology can speed up the design process, reduce the investment and improve the product quality.

从计算机辅助设计(CAD)到人辅助设计(HAD)--一种等几何拓扑优化方法

本文提出了一种新的设计模式——人辅助设计,以取代传统的计算机辅助设计。在人辅助设计中,计算机可以通过一种新的等几何拓扑优化自动完成整个产品设计,而人类仅需协助轻微修改设计以满足要求。文中提出了一种嵌入域等几何拓扑优化用于设计具有不规则设计域的复杂模型,并且可以基于分层等几何拓扑优化结果自动生成优化结果的可编辑几何模型。测试了三个算例以验证所提出的等几何拓扑优化模式,包括一个具有规则设计域的3D悬臂梁,一个具有不规则设计域的汽车零件和一个具有多尺度结构的MBB梁。结果表明,所提出的等几何拓扑优化模式可以自动生成高质量的优化模型。因此,该技术具有成为革命性技术的巨大潜力,将当前设计模式由计算机辅助设计转变为人辅助设计。

Supporting Product Family Design in a3D CAD/PDM Integrated System

This paper addresses some key issues in supporting product family design in a 3 D CAD/ PDM integrated system and introduces the techniques developed or adopted in building the integrated system. The general architecture of a 3D CAD/PDM integrated system is organized as five tiers. Multi-agent technology is applied with a collaborative design environment. The rule-based product family architecture （ PFA ） and tabular layouts of article characteristics （TLAC） technique are applied to represent the knowledge for product families. They make the knowledge understandable, simplified and can be exchanged among heterogeneous information systems. A transparently concentric integrated mode is put forward to enable the heterogeneous processes to interact and communicate regardless of the language used to construct each process. With the mode, function calling and information exchanging among different processes are carried out via message translation/parse approach. Currently, the integrated system is implemented in the platform of Windows NT and 2000.

Integrated Systemfor Tube Bending Digital Manufacturing

An integrated CAD/CAPP/CAM system of tube manufacturing based on integration frame is presented. In this system, two kinds of data conventions describing tube shape are presented in tube CAD subsystem, the object-oriented concept and the goal-driven inference mechanism have been applied in the development of the knowledge-based CAPP subsystem and simulation of tube processing under tube bending simulation subsystem is performed based on the tube model＇s piecewise representation. A tube product case is considered to give the application of the integrated system, and the advantages of the system in the use of tube bending are revealed.

Combination of Loosely and Compactly Coupled Integrations of CAD Tools and Its Applications In SAW Devices Design and Fabrication

A combination of the loosely and compactly coupled integrations of CAD tools and its applications in the design and fabrication of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are proposed in this paper. Three core modules are developed as design and mask pattern verification module,database module, and device characteristics simulation module. All the operations are controlled under Microsoft Windows GUI interface. This leads to a reduced design and fabrication cycle, workload and cost. With the knowledge-based library for intelligent design and Lotus Notes database for distributed and networked engineering database management (EDM) and effective control of documents, a new enterprise-leveled, computer-integrated design and manufacturing system (CIDMS)can be established for monolithic and hybrid device design (not only confined to SAW device).

A Web-based on-machine mould matching and measurement system based on CAD/CAM/CAI integration

The purpose of this study is to develop a Web-based on-machine mould identification and measurement system. The Web-based mould identification system matches obtained vision information with CAD database. Developed Web-based system is to exchange messages between a server and a client by making of ActiveX control, and the result of mould identification is shown on Web-browser at remote site. For effective feature classification and extraction, the signature method is used to make meaningful information from obtained image data. For on-machine measurement of the matched mould, inspection database is constructed from CAD database using developed inspection planning methods. The results are simulated and analyzed using developed system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

A STEP-BASED CAD/CAPP INTEGRATION

The information integration of CAD/CAPP is one of the crucial techniques in CIM. Thispaper desicribes an integrated CAD/CAPP system which is implemented by connecting MPIM to BR-CAPP via an interface for data exchange between them. The data exchange between MPIM and BR-CAPP is accomplished through STEP neutral file.

GHCAD: A Feature-based Design System

A feature-centered scheme is presented to represent the feature-based variational partmodel. Constraint reasoning approach and numerical approach are trigged up to satisfy theconstraints between features. Coassociations between boundary elements in feature level and partlevel are maintained to implement a series of feature operations and to implement precision featureinodslling adaptive for paramatric part geometry model.GHCAD, a feature-based parametricmodelling system based on these ideas , is developed, and some examples are given finally.

Feature-based and objectoriented product information model for welding structure

Product information model for welding structure plays an important role for the integration of welding CAD/CAPP/CAM. However, existing CAD modeling systems are not capable of providing enough information for subsequent manufacturing activities such as CAPP and CAM. A new design approach using feature technique and object oriented programming method is put forward in this paper in order to create the product information model of welding structure. With this approach, the product information model is able to effectively support computer aided welding process planning, fixturing, assembling, path planning of welding robot and other manufacturing activities. The feature classification and representing scheme of welding structure are discussed. A prototype system is developed based on feature and object oriented programming. Its structure and functions are given in detail.

Integration of Machining and Measuring Processes Using On-Machine Measurement Technology

This paper presents an integration methodology for ma chining and measuring processes using OMM (On-Machine Measurement) technology b ased on CAD/CAM/CAI integration concept. OMM uses a CNC machining center as a me asuring station by changing the tools into measuring probes such as touch-type, laser and vision. Although the measurement accuracy is not good compared to tha t of the CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine), there are distinctive advantages us ing OMM in real situation. In this paper, two topics are handled to show the eff ectiveness of the machining and measuring process integration: (1) inspection pl anning strategy for sculptured surface machining and (2) tool path compensation for profile milling process. For the first topic, as a first step, effective mea suring point locations are determined to obtain optimum results for given sampli ng numbers. Two measuring point selection methods are suggested based on the CAD /CAM/CAI integration concept: (1) by the prediction of cutting errors and (2) by considering cutter contact points to avoid the measurement errors caused by cus ps. As a next step, the TSP (Traveling Salesman Problem) algorithm is applied to minimize the probe moving distance. Appropriate simulations and experiments are performed to verify the proposed inspection planning strategy, and the results are analyzed. For the second topic, a methodology for profile milling error comp ensation is presented by using an ANN (Artificial Neural Network) model trained by the inspection database of OMM system. First, geometric and thermal errors of the machining center are compensated using a closed-loop configuration for the improvement of machining and inspection accuracy. The probing errors are also t aken into account. Then, a specimen workpiece is machined and then the machi ning surface error distribution is measured on the machine using touch-type pro be. In order to efficiently analyze the machining errors, two characteristic err or parameters (W err and D err) are defined. Subsequently, these param eters are modeled by applying the RFB (Radial Basis Function) network approach a s an ANN model. Based on the RBF network model, the tool paths are compensated i n order to effectively reduce the errors by employing an iterative algorithm. In order to validate the approaches proposed in this paper, a concrete case of the machining process is taken into account and about 90% of machining error reduction is successfully accomplished through the proposed approaches.

SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION IN PLM ENVIRONMENTS USING ANNOTATED CAD MODELS

The connection of resources, data, and knowledge through communication technology plays a vital role in current collaborative design methodologies and Product Lifecycle Management （PLM） systems, as these elements act as channels for information and meaning. Despite significant advances in the area of PLM, most communication tools are used as separate services that are disconnected from existing development environments. Consequently, during a communication session, the specific elements being discussed are usually not linked to the context of the discussion, which may result in important information getting lost or becoming difficult to access. In this paper, we present a method to add synchronous communication functionality to a PLM system based on annotated information embedded in the CAD model. This approach provides users a communication channel that is built directly into the CAD interface and is valuable when individuals need to be contacted regarding the annotated aspects of a CAD model. We present the architecture of a new system and its integration with existing PLM systems, and describe the implementation details of an annotation-based video conferencing module for a commercial CAD application.

Implementation of Drawing Data Integration between CAD／CAM Systems through IGES File in CIMS

This paper first gives a brief introduction to the methods used for CAD/CAM integration in CIMS/ERC andthe structural features of a neutral IGES (initial graphics exchange specification) file. An effective method for solvingproblems which occur when implementing drawing data integration between CAD/CAM systems through IGES files isthen discussed. Finally,a middle-adjusting-processor program is proposed to solve specific problems which exist inCAD/CAM integration in CIMS/ERC. The program successfully solves the problem of drawing deformation betweenthe I-DEAS system and the CIMLINC system during data exchange.

Expert System Realization for Conceptual Design of Mechanical Products under CIMS Environment

In CAD/CAM integration, the source information must be produced from the conceptual design of product. A gear box conceptual design expert system for planomilling machines was developed which solved the problemof information integration from conceptual design to detail design.The problem-solving model for the conceptual design of mechanical products is discussed.The system architecture and the function of the main modules are described. The basic structure for the object-oriented knowledge representation and its formalizsd representation arediscussed in detail. Finally, implementation of the scheme layout and its control flow chart are explored using several samples.

Supporting Consistency in Linked Specialized Engineering Models Through Bindings and Updating

Currently, some commercial software applications support users to work in an integrated environment. However, this is limited to the suite of models provided by the software vendor and consequently it forces all the parties to use the same software. In contrast, the research described in this paper investigates ways of using standard software applications, which may be specialized for different professional domains. These are linked for effective transfer of information and a binding mechanism is provided to support consistency. The proposed solution was implemented using a CAD application and an independent finite element application in order to verify the theoretical aspects of this work.

Feature Analysis of STEP Application Protocol and its Application

This paper uses semantic data modelling and CAD/CAPP/CAM integration to analyze the features defined in the STEP AP214, its characteristics of definition and distribution, and its influence on the complexity of CAD/CAPP/CAM application integration. A framework is developed for applications of CAD/CAPP/CAM integration based on the STEP to reduce the complexity of integration implementation. Two application program interfaces (API), namely, application protocol API and application API, are developed. The frameworks hierarchy structure and the application program interfaces between the layers make the integration of applications easier.