PLM Assembly Composition with 3D Visual Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are inefficient for designers to reuse existing objects in composing new assemblies, as they require creating a new empty product, searching for objects, and manually positioning them, which can lead to irrelevant search results and complexity, especially in fields like mechanical design where many parts serve similar functions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows navigating and displaying 3D representations of modeled objects in a PLM database, selecting objects, storing them in an editable area, and composing assemblies by using instances of these objects in a scene, enabling drag-and-drop operations and relative positioning, thereby simplifying the search, selection, and assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If designers use traditional search functions to find existing objects for reuse, then they can access stored objects, but the search results become irrelevant and complex when many parts serve similar functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through 3D representations and highlighting to distinguish between objects with similar functions. By displaying actual 3D models rather than text lists, the system enables designers to visually identify and select the correct object, transforming the search interface from a text-based system prone to ambiguity to a visual system that naturally resolves similarities through spatial representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the PLM database contents by generating 3D representations of stored objects. This visual copying mechanism allows designers to browse and select objects based on their geometric appearance rather than textual descriptions, providing an intuitive interface that preserves object identity and function while eliminating the complexity of text-based search.
2Productivity
If designers manually position objects one by one in the assembly, then they can compose the assembly, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning selected objects in the editable area before the actual assembly composition. Objects are staged in a ready-to-use state within the editable area, allowing designers to quickly assemble final products without repeating the selection and positioning steps for each object, thereby significantly reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an editable area as an intermediary workspace between the PLM database and the final assembly scene. This intermediate zone allows for rapid object placement and arrangement, serving as a buffer that decouples the complex database search process from the final assembly composition, enabling faster productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the system displays detailed 3D representations of all objects in the database, then designers can accurately identify and compare objects, but the interface becomes complex and overwhelming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database browsing interface into distinct functional zones: a PLM database navigation area for accessing stored objects, an editable area for selecting and staging objects, and a scene area for final assembly composition. This segmentation allows 3D representations to be displayed with full detail when needed while keeping the overall interface structure simple and organized, preventing overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D text-based database browsing to a 3D visual interface. By displaying objects in three-dimensional space, the system provides accurate identification and comparison capabilities while organizing information spatially rather than linearly, making the interface more intuitive and less overwhelming despite the increased dimensionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus for composing an assembly of a plurality of objects. The method comprises navigating in a PLM database and displaying 3D representations of modeled objects. The method further comprises selecting in the PLM database a plurality of the modeled objects. The method further comprises storing the selected modeled objects in an editable area. The selected modeled objects are three-dimensionally displayed in the editable area. The method further comprises composing the assembly in a scene by using at least one instance of at least one of the objects stored in the editable area.