Automatic Tolerance Scheme Generation in 3D CAD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems require significant time and expertise for engineers to manually create and verify tolerance schemes, often leading to errors due to the complexity of applying tolerances and understanding interrelationships between features, and they may not rigorously conform to ASME and ISO standards.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for automatically generating tolerance schemes by identifying tolerance features, determining unconstrained degrees of control, and rendering the schemes within a 3D model, using data structures and user-defined attributes to ensure compliance with engineering standards, thereby reducing the need for manual calculation and expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If engineers manually create tolerance schemes using reference materials and experience, then tolerance accuracy and compliance with ASME/ISO standards can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the 3D model, identifying tolerance features, determining unconstrained degrees of control, and generating compliant tolerance schemes without requiring manual engineer intervention for each feature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of engineers consulting reference materials and calculating tolerances with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to analyze geometry and generate tolerance schemes
2Reliability
If engineers manually analyze all features to ensure interrelationship compliance, then correct tolerance application can be ensured, but the complexity and difficulty of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by automatically analyzing the 3D model geometry, identifying features that require tolerancing, determining their interrelationships, and adjusting the tolerance scheme accordingly to ensure compliance with ASME/ISO standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated system that mediates between the 3D model and the tolerance scheme, using algorithms to analyze feature interrelationships and ensure correct tolerance application without requiring engineers to manually trace complex relationships
3Productivity
If automated tolerance generation is implemented, then time and effort are reduced, but the system must accurately identify unconstrained degrees of control and ensure compliance with engineering standards
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tolerance scheme generation process into distinct automated steps: identifying tolerance features, determining unconstrained degrees of control for each feature, selecting appropriate tolerance types, and generating the final scheme while ensuring ASME/ISO compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by analyzing the geometric parameters of 3D model features to automatically determine unconstrained degrees of control and select appropriate tolerance values, transforming the manual parameter selection process into an automated calculation
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic generation of a tolerance scheme includes accessing data defining a three-dimensional model that defines a part for manufacture, identifying a tolerance feature in the three-dimensional model, determining at least one unconstrained degree of control for the tolerance feature, automatically creating a tolerance scheme for the tolerance feature, and rendering the tolerance scheme and the three-dimensional model in a window such that the tolerance scheme annotates the tolerance feature. The tolerance scheme is based on an engineering standard for communicating a tolerance and constrains the unconstrained degree of control.