CAD Feature Replication via Spatial Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD technologies lack the ability to replicate features within a CAD model to a surrounding similar to the current environment and efficiently detect related components, especially when multiple components are mated with a single replication candidate.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for feature replication in CAD models that determines reference points and directions to spatially transform and replicate entities, allowing for the replication of entirely enclosed entities to a surrounding similar to their original environment, and modifies candidate entities to accommodate the replication by replacing inner parts with intersecting entity parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If feature replication is performed in CAD model, then the ability to replicate features to surrounding similar environments is improved, but the complexity of detecting and measuring spatial compatibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feature replication process into distinct components: identifying entirely enclosed entities, identifying intersecting entities, determining reference points and reference directions, and performing spatial transformations. This segmentation makes the complex detection process manageable by breaking it down into smaller, more tractable sub-tasks that can be executed systematically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying entirely enclosed entities and intersecting entities before performing the actual replication. Reference points and reference directions are determined in advance, and candidate entities are pre-filtered based on spatial compatibility criteria. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity during the actual replication execution
2Manufacturing precision
If candidate entities are modified to accommodate replication, then the accuracy of feature replication to surrounding environment is improved, but the complexity of the replication process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing candidate entities to be modified during the replication process. Instead of requiring perfect initial matches, the system can adaptively modify candidate entities (such as adjusting geometry or parameters) to better accommodate the replication requirements while maintaining spatial compatibility. This dynamic adjustment capability improves replication accuracy without requiring overly rigid initial conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying attributes of candidate entities during the replication process. This includes adjusting geometric parameters, spatial transformations, and other entity properties to ensure the replicated feature accurately matches the surrounding environment. By changing parameters rather than fundamentally altering the replication methodology, the system achieves high precision while controlling process complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A region of a CAD model is obtained via user drawing of a boundary for the region in a GUI. The boundary entirely encloses one or more entities and intersects one or more entities. For each intersecting entity, a reference point on the intersecting entity and a reference direction at the reference point are determined. Based on the reference points and reference directions, a candidate set of candidate entities which are spatially compatible with the intersecting entities is searched. A spatial transformation which maps each reference point and reference direction onto a candidate entity of the candidate set is computed. The one or more entirely enclosed entities are replicated according to the spatial transformation, or replication is suggested via a visualization means. In an embodiment, the CAD model is two-dimensional, the intersecting entities are curves, and the reference direction of an intersecting curve is tangent to the intersecting curve.