Apparatus and method for creating intermediate stage model

Abstract

A system which facilitates generation of a drawing for machining instruction is provided. Unit process model information concerning a unit process model which can be machined using a single tool is used to define a product model. The unit process model information includes information concerning the shape and machining property of a machined portion. A combination of the unit process model information and disposition information for a machined portion constitutes machining step information indicating a single machining operation. When machining information formed by providing the machining step information according to an actual machining sequence is combined with a blank material model which is the subject of the machining, a product model including the final product shape and machining information can be obtained. When the machining step information is applied to the blank material model up to a desired stage in the history replay processing unit, an intermediate stage model indicating the workpiece shape and machining property in the middle of the machining process can be created. A machining instruction drawing can be generated by generating a cross sectional view or the like from the intermediate stage model.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.