3D Solid Model Detailing via Secondary Geometric Representation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid modeling techniques, such as those used in CAD programs, face difficulties in efficiently adding detail elements like textures or embossments to 3D solid models due to their emphasis on physical fidelity, making it cumbersome to create molds with consistent detailing, which increases manufacturing costs and complicates the production of multiple parts with identical detailing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a secondary geometric representation, such as voxel-based, polygon mesh, or point cloud representations, to allow users to easily add details like embossing, debossing, carving, and texture mapping directly to a 3D solid model, enabling the creation of detailed surfaces that can be integrated into the model without requiring tedious manual operations, using a graphical user interface and computational techniques to control smoothing, tile splitting, and voxel oversampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solid models are represented as closed collections of surfaces (NURBS, planar, quadrics) to maintain physical fidelity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates when adding detail elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary geometric representation (voxel-based or mesh-based) as an intermediary between the primary NURBS solid model and the detail elements. This intermediary allows designers to add textures, embossments, and other details without directly manipulating the complex NURBS surface control points, thus maintaining physical fidelity while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy or secondary representation of the solid model geometry (via voxelization or mesh generation) that serves as a working副本 for adding detail elements. This copying approach allows modifications to be made on the secondary representation and then transferred back to the primary model, avoiding direct manipulation of the original NURBS surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If detail elements are added manually one element at a time to maintain precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the large number of operations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates a secondary geometric representation (voxel or mesh copy) of the solid model that can be efficiently manipulated. Detail elements can be added to this copy using automated algorithms rather than manual operations on each of the 40,000+ control points, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining precision through the structured nature of the secondary representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of individually adjusting control points with automated computational algorithms that operate on the secondary geometric representation. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated computational processes significantly increases productivity while maintaining or even improving precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If texturing and detail are added to mold and/or molded part using extra steps to maintain adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the texturing and detailing operations during the digital model creation phase, before physical mold manufacturing begins. By adding all necessary detail elements to the 3D solid model in advance, the need for subsequent manual texturing steps on the physical mold is eliminated, reducing process complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the secondary geometric representation as a digital copy that can be easily modified and replicated. Once detail elements are added to this digital copy, the same detailed model can be used to create multiple molds and parts with identical detailing, eliminating the need for repetitive manual texturing operations and reducing overall device and process complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to systems and methods for detailing a graphical 3D solid model displayed to a user. An example system includes a graphical user interface device (e.g., joystick, keyboard, stylus, roller ball, touch screen, tablet, etc.) configured to receive input from a user and transmit the input to a computer including a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and/or a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a memory for use with the computer, and a video display configured to graphically display the detailed 3D solid model to the user.