Geometric Model Edge Cleanup via Grid Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer-aided design (CAD) models often contain geometric defects such as unconnected edges and faces, which can lead to incomplete or inaccurate simulations, increasing processing time and preventing successful modeling.
Innovation Solution
The method involves segmenting model edges into grid cells, connecting centroids of adjacent cells to generate refined edges, and projecting these onto the original model edges, while also constructing a shared topology for faces by identifying boundary edges and generating surface meshes, thus creating a refined and connected geometric model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional geometry cleanup tools are used that work directly on the geometry, then geometric defects can be remedied, but the processing time increases and memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geometric model is segmented into a background grid of cells, with each cell potentially containing edge segments. This segmentation allows the algorithm to process only relevant cells containing geometric features rather than the entire model, reducing computational overhead and processing time while maintaining geometric defect remediation quality
Solution Approach 2:
A background grid structure is introduced as an intermediary data structure between the original geometry and the cleanup process. The grid serves as a mediator that organizes spatial information and enables efficient querying of edge segments within each cell, reducing the complexity of direct geometry manipulation
2Reliability
If traditional geometry cleanup tools are used that work directly on the geometry, then geometric defects can be remedied, but the memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geometric model is segmented into a background grid of cells, with each cell potentially containing edge segments. This segmentation allows the algorithm to process only relevant cells containing geometric features rather than the entire model, reducing computational overhead and processing time while maintaining geometric defect remediation quality
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary geometric information (edge segments within grid cells) is extracted and processed, rather than loading and manipulating the entire geometric model in memory. This selective extraction reduces memory consumption while maintaining the ability to remediate geometric defects
3Manufacturing precision
If tolerance handling is complex in traditional cleanup methods, then geometric precision can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The background grid enables local processing of geometric features within each cell, allowing tolerance handling to be applied locally rather than globally. This local approach simplifies the overall algorithm complexity while maintaining geometric precision through cell-by-cell refinement
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the parameter representation by using grid cell indices and centroids instead of direct geometric coordinates for tolerance calculations. This parameter transformation simplifies tolerance handling by converting complex spatial relationships into discrete grid-based operations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided herein for remedying edge and/or face defects of a geometric model. The geometric model of a physical object is received for modeling. The geometric model includes model edges. Each edge is segmented into segments according to a grid having cells overlaid onto the geometric model. A respective centroid of each respective cell is having a segmented edge within the respective cell is determined. A current cell adjacent to an adjacent cell in the grid is identified. The current cell has a segmented edge. A centroid of the current cell is connected with a centroid of the adjacent cell to generate a refined segmented edge. The refined segment is projected onto a corresponding model edge to generate a projected edge. A refined model having one or more projected edges is provided to a graphical user interface for further model characterization of the physical object.