Ontology-Based Representation and Verification to Enable Feature Interoperability Between CAD Systems

Author(s):  
Sean Tessier ◽  
Yan Wang

Data interoperability between computer-aided design (CAD) systems remains a major obstacle in the information integration and exchange in a collaborative engineering environment. The standards for CAD data exchange have remained largely restricted to geometric representations, causing the design intent portrayed through construction history, features, parameters, and constraints to be discarded in the exchange process. In this research paper, an ontology-based framework is proposed to allow for the full exchange of semantic feature data. The Ontology Web Language (OWL) is used to represent feature types as well as the concepts and properties that define features, which allows the use of existing ontology reasoning tools to infer new relationships and information between heterogeneous data. Boundary representation (B-Rep) data corresponding to the output of the feature operation is also stored for purposes of feature identification and translation verification. The base ontology and a small feature library are built in OWL, and a combination of OWL and SWRL (Semantic Web Rule Language) rules are developed to allow a feature from an arbitrary source system to be automatically classified and translated into the target system through the use of a reasoner. These rules relate input parameter and reference types to expected B-Rep objects, allowing classification even when feature definitions vary or when little is known about the source system. In cases when the source system is well known, this approach also permits direct translation rules to be implemented. With such a flexible framework, a neutral feature exchange format could be developed.

Author(s):  
Leen Hanayneh ◽  
Yiwen Wang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jack C. Wileden ◽  
Khurshid A. Qureshi

Computer-aided design (CAD) data interoperability is one of the most important issues to enable information integration and sharing in a collaborative engineering environment. A significant amount of work has been done on the extension and standardization of neutral data formats in both academy and industry. In this paper, we present a feature mapping mechanism to allow for automatic feature information exchange. A hybrid semantic feature model is used to represent implicit and explicit features. A graph-based feature isomorphism algorithm is developed to support feature mapping between different CAD data formats.


Author(s):  
John Altidor ◽  
Jack Wileden ◽  
Jeffrey McPherson ◽  
Ian Grosse ◽  
Sundar Krishnamurty ◽  
...  

Data exchange between different computer-aided design (CAD) systems is a major problem inhibiting information integration in collaborative engineering environments. Existing CAD data format standards such as STEP and IGES enable geometric data exchange. However, they ignore construction history, features, constraints, and other parametric-based CAD data. As a result, they are inadequate for supporting modification, extension and other important higher-level functionality when accessing an imported CAD model from another CAD system. Achieving such higher-level functionality therefore often requires a time-consuming, error-prone, tedious process of manually recreating the model in the target CAD system. Based on techniques adapted from programming language research, this paper presents an approach to exchanging parametric data between CAD systems using formally-defined conversion semantics. We have demonstrated the utility of our approach by developing a prototype implementation that automates the conversion of 2D sketches between two popular CAD systems: Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks. We present examples showing that our approach is able to accurately convert parametric CAD data even in cases where models were constructed using operations from the source CAD system that have no direct counterpart in the target CAD system. Although the case study focuses on 2D interoperability, our approach provides formal foundations for supporting 3D and semantic interoperability between CAD systems.


Author(s):  
Xun Xu

One of the key activities in any product design process is to develop a geometric model of the product from the conceptual ideas, which can then be augmented with further engineering information pertaining to the application area. For example, the geometric model of a design may be developed to include material and manufacturing information that can later be used in computer-aided process planning and manufacturing (CAPP/CAM) activities. A geometric model is also a must for any engineering analysis, such as finite elopement analysis (FEA). In mathematic terms, geometric modelling is concerned with defining geometric objects using computational geometry, which is often, represented through computer software or rather a geometric modelling kernel. Geometry may be defined with the help of a wire-frame model, surface model, or solid model. Geometric modelling has now become an integral part of any computer-aided design (CAD) system. In this chapter, various geometric modelling approaches, such as wire-frame, surface, and solid modelling will be discussed. Basic computational geometric methods for defining simple entities such as curves, surfaces, and solids are given. Concepts of parametric, variational, history-based, and history-free CAD systems are explained. These topics are discussed in this opening chapter because (a) CAD was the very first computer-aided technologies developed and (b) its related techniques and methods have been pervasive in the other related subjects like computer-aided manufacturing. This chapter only discusses CAD systems from the application point of view; CAD data formats and data exchange issues are covered in the second chapter.


2013 ◽  
Vol 690-693 ◽  
pp. 2781-2786
Author(s):  
Chang Le Sun ◽  
Da Yong Ning ◽  
Wei Xiong ◽  
Hai Tao Wang

Data exchange between 3-D CAD systems has a very important research value both in theory and in application. This paper presents a general outline of a Universal Feature Definition (UFD) frame, which provides universal support for todays 3-D CAD systems. Through the medium of UFD feature, this frame can realize the conversion of 3-D CAD models from source system to target system according to API mapping. This CAD model conversion method may overcome the disadvantage of traditional geometric method that the target model is not editable. This frame also provides the conversion interface of user defined features, which is convenient for the user to customize the desired conversion process. The frame has been implemented between Catia and UG with successful results.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Slamet Sudaryanto Nurhendratno ◽  
Sudaryanto Sudaryanto

 Data integration is an important step in integrating information from multiple sources. The problem is how to find and combine data from scattered data sources that are heterogeneous and have semantically informant interconnections optimally. The heterogeneity of data sources is the result of a number of factors, including storing databases in different formats, using different software and hardware for database storage systems, designing in different data semantic models (Katsis & Papakonstantiou, 2009, Ziegler & Dittrich , 2004). Nowadays there are two approaches in doing data integration that is Global as View (GAV) and Local as View (LAV), but both have different advantages and limitations so that proper analysis is needed in its application. Some of the major factors to be considered in making efficient and effective data integration of heterogeneous data sources are the understanding of the type and structure of the source data (source schema). Another factor to consider is also the view type of integration result (target schema). The results of the integration can be displayed into one type of global view or a variety of other views. So in integrating data whose source is structured the approach will be different from the integration of the data if the data source is not structured or semi-structured. Scheme mapping is a specific declaration that describes the relationship between the source scheme and the target scheme. In the scheme mapping is expressed in in some logical formulas that can help applications in data interoperability, data exchange and data integration. In this paper, in the case of establishing a patient referral center data center, it requires integration of data whose source is derived from a number of different health facilities, it is necessary to design a schema mapping system (to support optimization). Data Center as the target orientation schema (target schema) from various reference service units as a source schema (source schema) has the characterization and nature of data that is structured and independence. So that the source of data can be integrated tersetruktur of the data source into an integrated view (as a data center) with an equivalent query rewriting (equivalent). The data center as a global schema serves as a schema target requires a "mediator" that serves "guides" to maintain global schemes and map (mapping) between global and local schemes. Data center as from Global As View (GAV) here tends to be single and unified view so to be effective in its integration process with various sources of schema which is needed integration facilities "integration". The "Pemadu" facility is a declarative mapping language that allows to specifically link each of the various schema sources to the data center. So that type of query rewriting equivalent is suitable to be applied in the context of query optimization and maintenance of physical data independence.Keywords: Global as View (GAV), Local as View (LAV), source schema ,mapping schema


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
A. Kreis ◽  
M. Hirz

Growing vehicle variant diversity, legal requirements to reduce fleet CO2 emissions and innovations in the area of drive train technologies, coupled with the increasing pressure to cut costs, pose new challenges for parties in the automotive sector. An implementation of optimized development and production processes supports the effective handling of these challenges. One important aspect includes engineering efficiency improvement by optimizing the entire automotive bodywork development process and the involved data management. Research activities focus on the data exchange processes between design, simulation and production engineering within various CAx environments. This concerns constantly changing boundary conditions and requirements in the area of automotive body development, including but not limited to the introduction of new materials and material combinations and new types of joining technologies. From the viewpoint of an automotive engineering supplier, additional challenges caused by different customer-related development environments have to be considered. To overcome these challenges, various data exchange strategies between OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer), automotive suppliers and the use of different data management tools need to be investigated. In this context, the paper presents an approach of an optimized data exchange process of CAD-based data between different CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) environments that supports the entire body development, including data provision for manufacturing engineering. In addition, an optimization of data exchange processes saves development costs and improves the product quality.


Author(s):  
Moritz Weber ◽  
Reiner Anderl

AbstractThe high complexity of assemblies and components in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) leads to a high effort in the maintenance of the models and increases the time required for adjustments. Metrics indicating the complexity of a CAD Model can help to reduce it by showing the results of changes. This paper describes a concept to calculate metrics aiming to describe the extent of complexity of components in CAD systems based on an ontology-based representation in a first step. The representation is initially generated from CAD models using an automated process. This includes both a boundary representation and the history of the feature-based design. Thus, the design strategy also contributes to measuring the complexity of the component so that the same shape can lead to different complexity metrics. Semantic rules are applied to find patterns of the design and to identify and evaluate various strategies. Different metrics are proposed to indicate the particular influence factors of complexity and a single measure for the overall complexity. Furthermore, the influencing factors can also be used to allow the designer to see how to reduce the complexity of the component or assembly.


Author(s):  
Yuchu Qin ◽  
Wenlong Lu ◽  
Qunfen Qi ◽  
Xiaojun Liu ◽  
Yanru Zhong ◽  
...  

Exchanging computer-aided design (CAD) model data among heterogeneous CAD systems is indispensable for collaborative product development. Currently, the industry mainly uses the standardized neutral files-based methods to implement such exchange. While at the same time, the application of web ontology language (OWL) file and underlying semantic web technologies in CAD model data exchange is gaining importance and popularity within the academia. The coexistence of different types of methods has generated a series of controversies and questions within the industry and the academia. Yet, can the neutral files-based exchange methods completely implement model data exchange among heterogeneous CAD systems? What challenges have been addressed to date by the developed CAD model data exchange standards? Why OWL has been introduced to CAD model data exchange? Does CAD model data exchange really need OWL? Are there any issues in existing neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods need to be addressed in future studies? This paper proposes to conduct a study of the standardized neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods. An in-depth analysis of the widely used standard for the exchange of product model data (STEP) method and the newly emerging OWL methods is first provided. Then, the paper makes a detailed comparison between these two types of methods based on this analysis. Finally, some issues in the two types of methods that need to be addressed in the future are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 2040006
Author(s):  
Yiqi Wu ◽  
Fazhi He ◽  
Yueting Yang

As a new design and manufacture paradigm, Cloud-Based Collaborative Design (CBCD) has motivated designers to outsource their product data and design computation onto the cloud service. Despite non-negligible benefits of CBCD, there are potential security threats for the outsourced product data, such as intellectual property, design intentions and private identity, which has become an interest point. This paper presents a novel secure product data exchange (PDE) in the processes of CBCD. Different from general cloud security mechanism, our method is content-based. We first show an outline of the collaborative scenario to describe the architecture of the proposed secure CBCD, in which a security mechanism is combined with the data exchange service to achieve secure PDE. Second, we present a novel grid-based geometric deformation method for the security mechanism with three processes: the original shapes of a source Computer Aided Design (CAD) model can be hidden by deforming the control grid; then the deformed grid can be exchanged to target system where a deformed target CAD model can be reconstructed; at last, the deformed target CAD model can be recovered to the original shape after recovering the deformed grid. Finally, typical CAD model tests demonstrate that our method can keep the sensitive information of source model and also maintain the same level of data exchange error.


2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Bart O. Nnaji

Current computer-aided design (CAD) systems only support interactive geometry generation, which is not ideal for distributed engineering services in enterprise-to-enterprise collaboration with a generic thin-client service-oriented architecture. This paper proposes a new feature-based modeling mechanism—document-driven design—to enable batch mode geometry construction for distributed CAD systems. A semantic feature model is developed to represent informative and communicative design intent. Feature semantics is explicitly captured as a trinary relation, which provides good extensibility and prevents semantics loss. Data interoperability between domains is enhanced by schema mapping and multiresolution semantics. This mechanism aims to enable asynchronous communication in distributed CAD environments with ease of design alternative evaluation and reuse, reduced human errors, and improved system throughput and utilization.


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