Virtual Component Instance Management in CAD Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems burden designers with manual management of 2D constructions and lack seamless integration of 2D geometry with product structure, leading to inefficiencies in defining and representing components, especially in assemblies with repetitive elements like circular patterns of bolts, and require multiple 3D files for accurate product structure generation.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows independent development of product structure without external files, enabling association of 2D geometry with components and conversion of product structure into an assembly based on externally linked files, simplifying the assembly design process by using a structure editor to create a three-dimensional assembly representation with instance data including orientation and property information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If 2D layout is created for every component in assembly, then complete geometric representation is achieved, but manual management burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements component instances that can be copied and instantiated multiple times within an assembly. Instead of creating separate 2D layouts for each bolt in a circular pattern, a single component definition is created and then instantiated multiple times with different transformations (rotations, positions). This copying mechanism eliminates redundant manual creation while preserving complete geometric representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assembly into a hierarchical structure with components, instances, and geometry separated. The product structure is divided into manageable components that can be independently defined, then assembled through instances. This segmentation allows the geometry to be defined once at the component level and reused across multiple instances, reducing manual management burden.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate applications are used for product structure and layout definition, then specialized tools are available, but integration and association between them is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the product structure management and 2D layout definition into a single integrated assembly environment. Components with their geometry, instances, and product structure relationships are all managed within one application. This integration maintains the specialized capabilities for both structure definition and geometry creation while enabling seamless association between them through the instance mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal assembly environment that handles multiple functions: product structure definition, 2D geometry creation, instance management, and assembly organization. Instead of requiring separate specialized applications, this multi-functional system performs all tasks within a unified interface, improving ease of operation while maintaining specialized capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple 3D files are required for product structure generation, then accurate component representation is achieved, but file management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary instance structure that mediates between the component definitions and the assembly. Instances serve as intermediaries that reference component geometry and define their placement, orientation, and transformation within the assembly. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for multiple separate 3D files while maintaining accurate component representation through a unified file structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a file-based organization (multiple 3D files) to a hierarchical object-based organization within a single file. The assembly structure uses nested hierarchies and instance relationships to organize components, moving from horizontal file management to vertical hierarchical management. This dimensional change in organization reduces file management complexity while preserving representation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for use in CAD modeling software to define product structure based on virtual components created independent from geometry and without the need to create files on disk. With the additional capability of assigning geometry to the virtual components of the product structure that sets and orients the virtual components and manages multiple occurrences of like components. Further, the virtual component are published into real components with automatic 3D file creation completed.