Automated Gap Measurement Grid for Fastener Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-aided design systems lack efficient methods to identify relationships between parts and fasteners, leading to difficulties in accessing necessary information for design and manufacturing processes, particularly in aerospace manufacturing, where information about fasteners and gaps between parts is often absent or not well-organized.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a grid of points on a surface associated with parts in a model, forming line segments between surfaces to identify gap sizes, enabling the identification of fastener locations and gap measurements, which are used to derive associations between parts and fasteners, and optimize design and manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual review of model information is used to identify part relationships, then information accuracy can be verified, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical review processes with automated computer-based analysis. The system automatically generates bounding boxes, identifies part relationships, and extracts gap measurements through computational algorithms, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated analysis system that acts as a mediator between the complex 3D model data and the user. This intermediary process automatically processes the model information, identifies relationships, and presents results, saving time while ensuring accuracy through systematic computation.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed 3D modeling is performed to capture all part information, then design precision is improved, but model complexity and data organization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex 3D model into manageable components by generating bounding boxes for each part. This segmentation approach allows the system to handle complex models systematically by breaking them down into individual part representations that can be analyzed independently for relationships and measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bounding boxes as an intermediary representation layer between the detailed 3D model and the analysis process. These bounding boxes simplify the complex model data into standardized geometric primitives that are easier to process while retaining the essential spatial information needed for relationship identification.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive part relationship data is extracted from the model, then fastener selection accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information extraction process into distinct steps: generating bounding boxes, identifying overlapping relationships, and measuring gaps. This segmentation allows the system to process comprehensive part relationship data systematically, extracting only the relevant information needed for fastener selection without being overwhelmed by the full model complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality analysis by focusing on specific regions where parts overlap or are adjacent. Instead of processing the entire model uniformly, the system identifies and analyzes only the local areas where fastener relationships exist, reducing processing complexity while maintaining accuracy for critical decision-making areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying gaps. A grid of points is generated on a first surface. The grid of points is associated with a point for a first part associated with a second part in a model. A line segment is formed from the first surface of the first part to a second surface of the second part for each point in the grid of points to form a plurality of line segments. A gap size is identified between the first surface and the second surface using the plurality of line segments to form a plurality of gap measurements.