Automated Propagation of Corner Connection Elements in 3D Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing steel and wooden structures in a CAD environment is tedious due to the time-consuming process of specifying trim geometry and placing connection elements at multiple corners, which requires significant user effort and is prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically propagating corner connection elements across a 3D model by identifying topologically similar corners, copying, and orienting connection elements, reducing user interaction and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If connection elements are placed manually at each corner, then placement accuracy can be controlled, but the design process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies connection elements from a source corner to multiple target corners that have identical or similar geometries. The connection element data structure is replicated and transformed based on the target corner's orientation and position, eliminating manual repetition while maintaining placement accuracy through automated geometric transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and grouping of corners with identical or similar geometries before the actual connection element placement. By pre-processing the corner data and establishing transformation relationships in advance, the system prepares the groundwork for efficient automated placement, reducing the time required during the actual design process
2Adaptability or versatility
If trim geometry is specified for each corner individually, then corner-specific requirements can be met, but user effort and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal trim definition that can be automatically applied to multiple corners with identical or similar geometries. By establishing a single trim specification that works across multiple corner types through automated transformation, the system maintains adaptability to corner-specific requirements while eliminating the need for individual specification of each corner
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and grouping of corners with identical or similar geometries before the actual trim application. By pre-processing the corner data and establishing transformation relationships in advance, the system prepares the groundwork for efficient automated trim application, reducing user effort during the actual design process
3Reliability
If connection elements are placed at every corner, then structural completeness is achieved, but the task becomes tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies connection elements from a source corner to multiple target corners that have identical or similar geometries. This automated copying process ensures that connection elements are placed at all necessary corners to maintain structural completeness, while eliminating the tedium and error-proneness of manual placement through systematic automated transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically identifying corners that require connection elements and performing the placement without continuous user intervention. Once the user provides initial input for a source corner, the system autonomously propagates the connection elements to similar corners, maintaining structural completeness while significantly improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method automatically propagates corner connection elements in a 3D modeled object having a plurality of corners with a plurality of structural corner-members. A list of the corners and a selection of a seed corner are received. A target corner in the model is identified as topologically similar to the seed corner. Reference data is collected for a first connection element at the seed corner. The first connection element reference data is copied and oriented to the target corner. A second connection element identical to the first connection element is created and applied to the target corner.