3D Sheet Metal Model Data Storage for Manufacturing Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems fail to accurately convey the designer's intent from computer-aided design (CAD) data to shop floor operators, relying on paper instructions and lacking the ability to determine processing instructions for sheet metal parts, which limits the precision and efficiency of manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that stores and displays manufacturing and geometry data associated with 3D sheet metal part models, including feature data and attribute information, to generate flat layout designs and process instructions, using a semantic feature engine to create geometry and topology data for visual representation and processing instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If paper process instruction sheets are used to convey processing instructions, then the manufacturing process can be maintained with simple systems, but the precision and efficiency of conveying designer's intent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the manufacturing process instructions embedded within the 3D CAD model itself. The model contains embedded data structures (XML files, process attribute trees) that replicate the instructional information in a machine-readable format, allowing CAM systems to automatically interpret and execute designer's intent without relying on separate paper documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of process attribute data structures that bridge the gap between CAD design data and CAM manufacturing instructions. This intermediary layer includes standardized trees of process attributes with defined relationships, enabling automatic translation of design intent into manufacturing operations without direct human intervention.
2Loss of information
If detailed manufacturing data is embedded in 3D models, then the communication of processing instructions improves, but the data structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments manufacturing information into hierarchical trees of process attributes, where each attribute represents a discrete piece of manufacturing data (e.g., material properties, tolerances, operations). This segmentation allows complex manufacturing instructions to be broken down into manageable, independently manageable units that can be selectively processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data structure framework that can accommodate multiple types of manufacturing information (geometric, material, process, tolerance data) within a single standardized format. This multi-functional attribute tree structure serves multiple purposes: storing design intent, generating CAM instructions, and supporting various manufacturing operations through a common interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flat layout designs are calculated based on different manufacturing processes, then the manufacturing flexibility improves, but the calculation and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of multiple flat layout designs during the design phase, storing various manufacturing process options and their corresponding layouts within the 3D model data structure. This advance preparation allows shop floor operators to quickly select from pre-calculated options without requiring time-consuming real-time calculations, thus maintaining flexibility while reducing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
Data for a 3D sheet metal part model is stored in a file. The stored data includes features of the part and manufacturing information. When different manufacturing processes are used, different geometry can be created. The file can store multiple processes for manufacturing the part and the geometry associated with each process. Thus, when manufacturing the part, the user can view information for multiple stored processes because all of the information is stored together. In addition, both 2D and 3D data is stored for the part.