Parametric Recipe for Generative Design Geometry Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems face challenges in efficiently editing and converting generative design geometry into watertight boundary representation format for additive and subtractive manufacturing, particularly due to the complexity of shapes and the time-consuming nature of mesh editing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a parametric feature recipe that allows for globally smooth free-form surface editing and conversion of editable smooth surfaces, such as T-Spline surfaces, into boundary representation format, while maintaining connectivity with input solids, enabling the creation of watertight 3D models through operations like intersecting boundary fill, Boolean combination, and stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If generative design geometry is converted to boundary representation format for manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the complexity of editing and creating watertight models increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process that transforms mesh geometry into boundary representation format with watertight surfaces. This intermediary step acts as a bridge between the generative design mesh output and the manufacturing-ready B-Rep format, automatically handling the complex geometry conversion and surface reconstruction to eliminate manual editing requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If mesh editing is performed manually to create watertight models, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but the time required for model creation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating watertight boundary representation models from mesh geometry without requiring manual intervention. The conversion process autonomously handles surface reconstruction, topology validation, and watertightness verification, eliminating the time-consuming manual editing step while ensuring manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-converting mesh geometry into watertight boundary representation format during the design phase, before manufacturing begins. This advance conversion ensures that models are ready for immediate manufacturing use, eliminating last-minute editing delays and ensuring precision is achieved beforehand.
3Ease of operation
If smooth surfaces are edited freely in generative design, then ease of operation is improved, but maintaining connectivity with input solids becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and maintain connectivity between edited smooth surfaces and input solids during the conversion process. As users edit surfaces freely, the system provides real-time feedback on connectivity status and automatically adjusts the boundary representation generation to preserve required connections, ensuring both editing ease and connectivity reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for facilitating editing of generative design geometry of physical structures, include a method including: receiving editable smooth surface(s), e.g., a T-Spline, constructed from a mesh obtained using a generative design process; instantiating a parametric feature recipe to connect the editable smooth surface(s) with input solid(s), wherein the parametric feature recipe includes an operation sequence that (i) converts the editable smooth surface(s) into boundary representation format and (ii) combines the boundary representation formatted smooth surface(s) with the input solid(s) to produce a watertight three dimensional model of an object; modifying the editable smooth surface(s) in response to input, while preventing disconnection of the editable smooth surface(s) from the input solid(s); updating a visualization thereof in a user interface; and performing the operation sequence of the parametric feature recipe to produce the watertight three dimensional model of the object.