CAD Microstructure Representation for Complex Internal Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boundary representation (B-Rep) models in CAD systems are inefficient in capturing complex internal geometries of CAD objects, particularly in additive manufacturing and 3D printing, leading to significant performance and memory penalties due to the need to process millions of geometric elements.
Innovation Solution
A combined representation system that integrates a procedural definition of internal geometry, or microstructure, with a B-Rep boundary to efficiently define CAD objects, allowing associative updates between object boundaries and internal structures, and selective incarnation of internal geometries for material-dependent operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If boundary representation models are used to capture complex internal geometries, then complete geometric representation is achieved, but computational performance deteriorates and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geometric representation into two distinct parts: (1) a simplified boundary representation (B-Rep) that captures the external object boundary, and (2) a procedural definition that captures the complex internal microstructure geometry. This segmentation allows each part to be represented at an appropriate level of detail, avoiding the need to fully instantiate millions of internal geometric elements while preserving complete geometric information through the combination of both representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the procedural definition of internal microstructure is embedded within the boundary representation framework. The B-Rep serves as the outer container that defines the object boundary, while the procedural definition is nested inside to define the internal geometry. This nesting allows the system to maintain a hierarchical organization where complex internal geometry is contained within a simpler external boundary representation.
2Loss of information
If boundary representation models are used to capture complex internal geometries, then complete geometric representation is achieved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geometric data structure into two parts: a compact B-Rep that stores only the external boundary information requiring minimal memory, and a procedural definition that stores compact algorithms to generate internal microstructure geometry on-demand. This segmentation eliminates the need to store millions of individual internal geometric elements in memory while preserving complete geometric representation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses procedural definitions that can generate internal microstructure geometry through algorithms rather than storing actual geometric copies. Instead of duplicating millions of internal geometric elements in memory, the system stores compact procedural code that can recreate the internal geometry when needed, significantly reducing memory requirements while maintaining geometric fidelity.
3Productivity
If procedural definition of internal geometry is integrated with B-Rep boundary, then computational efficiency is improved, but representation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the representation system into two distinct but integrated components: the B-Rep boundary model and the procedural definition of internal geometry. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with its own processing rules, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the enhanced representational capability. The segmentation enables modular processing where boundary operations and internal geometry operations can be performed separately and then coordinated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a unified representation framework that serves multiple functions: the B-Rep component handles external boundary operations and visualizations, while the procedural definition component handles internal microstructure operations. The integrated system provides multi-functionality by supporting both traditional B-Rep operations and advanced procedural modeling operations within a single CAD object representation, reducing the need for separate systems for different modeling tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computing system may include an object representation engine and an object incarnation engine. The object representation engine may be configured to define a computer-aided design (CAD) object in a CAD model as a combination of an object boundary comprised of bounding faces that encapsulate the CAD object and a microstructure that defines an internal geometry of the CAD object in a procedural representation. The procedural representation may be a representation of the internal geometry of the CAD object in a non-incarnated form. The object incarnation engine may be configured to incarnate, via the procedural representation of the microstructure, the internal geometry of the CAD object into a geometric representation to perform a CAD operation on the CAD object.