US 2010/0060635 A1 · ASSEMBLY-BASED PARAMETRIC MODELER

Abstract

Presently disclosed is a process and system for assembly-based parametric modeling having a single design environment in which the parts, components, and assemblies thereof may be designed concurrently. In embodiments of the present invention, every assembly has a deterministic parametric history supporting both top-down and bottom-up assembly design methodologies. Top-down components may be built in place, reducing the user interaction required to define the attachment and movement characteristics of the assembly. Bottom-up components may be inserted into an assembly using a parametric Insert Component Feature. The process and system also provides the ability to parametrically define the shape of an assembly in multiple orientations that still regenerate deterministically.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of parametric computer-aided design (CAD) of an assembly, comprising:

using a computerized CAD system and a single design environment,
defining one or more first parametric features to create a top-down component within said assembly;
defining a primary orientation of said top-down component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
defining one or more second parametric features to create a bottom-up component within said assembly;
and
defining a primary orientation of said bottom-up component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
modeling said assembly as a sequence of said first and said second parametric features, said modeling producing a model;
storing said sequence in a model data structure;
editing one or more of a group of features consisting of said first parametric feature, said second parametric feature, and a modification feature;
and
regenerating said model from said model data structure by regenerating said group of features at most once and such that said top-down component and said bottom-up component are reproduced deterministically in said respective primary orientation.

8 more elements

A computer-aided design (CAD) system for parametric design of an assembly, comprising a single design environment in a computerized CAD system and CAD program means for:

defining one or more first parametric features to create a top-down component within said assembly;
defining a primary orientation of said top-down component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
defining one or more second parametric features to create a bottom-up component within said assembly;
and
defining a primary orientation of said bottom-up component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
modeling said assembly as a sequence of said first and said second parametric features, said modeling producing a model;
storing said sequence in a model data structure;
editing one or more of a group of features consisting of said first parametric feature, said second parametric feature, and a modification feature;
and
regenerating said model from said model data structure by regenerating said group of features at most once and such that said top-down component and said bottom-up component are reproduced deterministically in said respective primary orientation.

7 more elements

A computer-readable medium for use by a CAD computer for parametric computer-aided design (CAD) of an assembly, comprising computer instructions for:

while using a computerized CAD system and a single design environment,
defining one or more first parametric features to create a top-down component within said assembly;
defining a primary orientation of said top-down component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
defining one or more second parametric features to create a bottom-up component within said assembly;
and
defining a primary orientation of said bottom-up component in said assembly relative to said assembly;
modeling said assembly as a sequence of said first and said second parametric features, said modeling producing a model;
storing said sequence in a model data structure;
editing one or more of a group of features consisting of said first parametric feature, said second parametric feature, and a modification feature;
and
regenerating said model from said model data structure by regenerating group of features at most once and such that said top-down component and said bottom-up component are reproduced deterministically in said respective primary orientation.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Assembly-based parametric modeler

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Assembly-based parametric modeler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18