Framework for a Structure Oriented Exchange of CAD Data (PDF)

Master's Thesis from the year 2002 in the subject Computer Science - Applied, grade: 2,3 (B), Technical University of Berlin (Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF)), language: English, abstract: Integration of a CAx (Computer Aided x) system throughout the product life
cycle and among different enterprises is a major issue for industrial
competitiveness and collaboration. One of the main successful factors for CAx
system integration is efficient methodology for EPDE (Engineering Product
Data Exchange). Data exchange is the totality of establishing the approach for
and the successful achievement of the transfer of data between two distinct
CAx systems.
Problem Statement:
- Why does an exchanged CAD (Computer Aided Design) model lose some
modelling properties? - Especially losses such as model tree (design
intent) and features.
- What reasons influence that phenomenon?
- How can these losses be minimized?
2. Review state of the art of exchange strategies
The review of exchange strategies is focused on which existing approaches
are in use today, which capabilities are supported by them, which deficiencies
they have, an understanding of state of the art is a precondition for beginning
to deal with of the problem statement.
3. Analysis of modelling capabilities regarding feature
modelling and structure representation
The analysis begins with a short review of existing feature modelling
techniques, which will build up a framework for the analysis process. Three
CAD systems are analysed - Pro/Engineering, I-DEAS and UniGraphics.
Typical models, with the frequently occurring features, are reviewed
depending on the feature modelling method and structural representation.
4. Needs-identification
The results of the analysis of modelling capabilities lead to the improvement
of new methods and techniques. This defines the essential basis for the
building of a concept framework.
5. Requirement definitions
- How can the model-tree to be exchanged?
- How will the exchanged model-tree act?
6. Outline of the thesis
The material is organized in three major sections. The first one, the state of
the art, examines the fundamentals of exchange approaches, the current
state of scientific and commercial exchange approaches and further related
technologies.
The second one, presents the current state of feature modelling techniques
and analyses of three commercial CAD systems according to feature
modelling capabilities and structural representation.
The next section, the concept framework, designs a concept framework fitting
the requirement definitions.