Flexible CAD Format Translation for CAE Boundary Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems face challenges in mapping analysis information from light-weight geometry formats to full 3D CAD data, especially when the visualization data was not directly created from the CAD model, leading to difficulties in setting boundary conditions and mesh generation, particularly with increasing model complexity and the need for powerful computing resources.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to translate CAD models into a flexible form by converting the original CAD model into a new format, providing visualization data and geometry information that allows matching assembly faces with CAD faces, enabling the mapping of CAE settings from visualization data to the full CAD model, even when the data sources are different, and allowing for offloading mesh generation to the cloud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full 3D CAD data is used for mesh generation and analysis, then analysis accuracy is improved, but computing resource requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CAD data into two distinct representations: a full 3D CAD model for accurate mesh generation and analysis, and a simplified visualization model for user interaction and boundary condition setting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system resource requirements while maintaining analysis accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the CAD model specifically for visualization and user interaction purposes. This copy retains essential geometric information for boundary condition assignment but reduces computational complexity, allowing users to work with a lighter version of the model locally while the full model is processed in the cloud.
2Ease of operation
If visualization data is used for setting boundary conditions, then ease of operation is improved, but mapping complexity increases when data sources differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping mechanism as an intermediary between the visualization model and the full CAD model. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of matching and translating boundary condition information from the simplified visualization data to the corresponding features in the full CAD model, shielding users from the underlying complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If cloud-based solver is used, then productivity is improved, but data security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential boundary condition information and simplified visualization data to the cloud-based solver, rather than transmitting the complete full CAD model. This extraction approach minimizes the amount of sensitive data exposed during cloud processing, reducing security risks while maintaining the productivity benefits of cloud computing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of translating a Computer Aided Design CAD model of a product constructed for Computer Aided Engineering CAE analysis into a flexible form, the method comprising: converting the original CAD model into a different format to provide a new-format CAD model; providing visualization data including: an assembly tree extracted from the original CAD model, the assembly tree including each component of the assembly forming the product; and visualization information from the original CAD model for each assembly face in the assembly tree; and providing geometry information including matching information unambiguously identifying each assembly face; wherein the geometry information allows the assembly faces to be matched with the CAD faces in the new-format CAD model.