CAD Part Interface Rule Definition for Dependency Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD applications lack the ability for users to control and manage dependencies between parts, leading to complex interdependencies that are difficult to understand and manage, especially as assemblies grow in complexity, making it hard to determine which parts will be impacted by changes or deletions without loading all parts into memory.
Innovation Solution
A method for defining part interfaces that allows users to select a part, access a rule view, and set rules to limit its usage for other parts, enabling control over dependencies and compatibility without loading all parts into memory, using a computer-implemented system that restricts linking properties such as intra-part linking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users allow free linking between parts in CAD assemblies, then design flexibility and adaptability are improved, but dependency complexity and system complexity increase making assemblies unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assembly into parts with defined interfaces, where each part exposes only specific linking properties through interface definitions. This segmentation allows designers to control which geometry can be linked, reducing unnecessary dependencies while maintaining design flexibility within defined boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of a model to have different linking properties. Specific geometry can be marked as interface geometry with controlled linking permissions, while other geometry remains restricted. This enables selective adaptability at local levels without compromising overall system manageability.
2Measurement precision
If CAD systems load all interconnected parts into memory to trace interdependencies, then measurement precision of dependencies is improved, but memory requirements and resource consumption increase making it impracticable for large assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts dependency information from the actual part geometry and stores it in interface definitions. By separating the dependency metadata from the full part models, the system can trace interdependencies using only the interface definitions, which are much smaller in size, eliminating the need to load entire assemblies into memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining interface properties and linking rules before assembly construction. This allows the CAD system to establish dependency relationships based on predefined interfaces rather than analyzing entire part models during assembly operations, significantly reducing memory requirements while maintaining accurate dependency tracking.
3Ease of operation
If users cannot control which objects within a part are used for relationships, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of part interfaces deteriorates leading to unmanageable dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling part owners to automatically define and enforce interface rules on their parts. The original designer can specify which geometry serves as interface geometry and set linking restrictions, and these rules are automatically enforced by the CAD system, ensuring interface reliability without requiring manual control by other users.
4Adaptability or versatility
If assemblies grow in complexity, then adaptability and design capability are improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring dependencies increases making it hard to determine impacted parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing automated dependency analysis based on defined interfaces. When interface rules are established, the system can automatically query and report which parts are affected by changes to specific interface geometry, giving immediate feedback without requiring manual tracing through complex assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program for defining part interfaces. A method includes comprising selecting a part. The method includes accessing a rule view corresponding to said part and setting a rule to a reference use. The rule limits the part to the reference use for a plurality of other parts.