A Graph-based Software Tool for the CAD Modeling of Mechanical Assemblies

Stanislao Patalano, Ferdinando Vitolo, Antonio Lanzotti

2013

Abstract

The challenge of reducing designing time for new mechanical assemblies, especially in the context of large companies, encourages the use of methods and tools aimed to support designing activities and to re-use the company know-how. Furthermore, the design choices must be rapidly check to avoid errors that could cause delay or expensive re-designing. In such a context, the graph theory and related algorithms could be used to define a transfer function, easily to implement, that governs a software tool able to support the designing activities. Therefore, the paper presents a designing approach, based on the graph theory, aimed to generate the geometric modeling of mechanical assemblies. The approach and the software tool are useful both for designer and companies that want to customize and improve such activities. Finally, the paper shows the case study related to the design of a transversal manual gearbox and the generation of a GUI, developed in MatLABĀ® environment, to validate the approach.

References

  1. Bondy, J. A., Murty U. S. R., 2008. Graph theory, Springer. New Delphi.
  2. Charchut, W., Thomas, A. K., 1972. Ingranaggi, Tecniche Nuove. Milano.
  3. Chen, X., Gao, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, S., 2012. Multi-level assembly model for top-down design of mechanical products. Computer Added Design, vol. 44, pp. 1033- 1048.
  4. Deo, N., 2004. Graph theory with applications to engineering and computer science, PHI Learning. New Delphi.
  5. Franciosa, P., 2009. Modeling and simulation of variational rigid and compliant assembly for tolerance analysis, PhD Thesis. Naples.
  6. Franciosa, P., Patalano, S., Riviere, A., 2010. 3D tolerance specification: an approach for the analysis of the global consistency based on graphs. International Journal of Interactive Design and Manufacturing, vol. 4 (1), pp. 1-10.
  7. Franciosa P., Gerbino S., Patalano, S., 2011. Simulation of Variational Compliant Assemblies with Shape Errors Based on Morphing Mesh Approach, Int. Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 53, Numbers 1-4, pp.47-61, ISSN 0268-3768.
  8. Franciosa P., Gerbino S., Lanzotti A, Patalano S., 2012. Automatic evaluation of variational parameters for tolerance analysis of rigid parts based on graphs, International Journal of Interactive Design and Manufacturing, ISSN 1955-2513, Springer Paris, DOI 10.1007/s12008-012-0178-4.
  9. Juvinall, R. C., Marshek, K. M., 1994. Fondamenti della progettazione dei componenti delle macchine, ETS.
  10. Lockett, H. L., Guenov, M. D., 2005. Graph-based feature recognition for injection moulding based on a midsurface approach. Computer-Aided Design, vol. 37, pp. 251-262.
  11. Marler, R. T., Arora, J. S., 2004. Survey of multi-objective optimization methods for engineering. Structural and multidisciplinary optimization vol. 26 (6), pp. 369- 395.
  12. Sandeberg, M, 2003. Knowledge based engineering - in product development. ISSN: 1402-1536.
  13. Shai, O., 2003. Transforming engineering problems through graph representations. Advanced Engineering Informatics, vol. 17, pp. 73-93.
  14. Shai, O., Preiss, K., 1999. Graph theory representations of engineering systems and their embedded knowledge. Artificial Intelligence in Engineering, vol. 13, pp. 273-285.
  15. Sham Tickoo, 2010. CATIA V5R19 for engineers and designers, Dreamtech Press.
  16. Sham Tickoo, 2012. NX8 for designers, CADCIM Technologies.
  17. Sharmin, M., Bailey, B. P., Coats, C., Hamilton, K., 2009. Understanding knowledge management practices for early design activity and its implications for reuse. CHI 2009 Proceedings of the 27th international conference on human factors in computing systems, pp.2367-2376.
  18. Suh, N. P., 1990. The principles of design. Oxford University Press. New York.
  19. Suh, N. P., 1997. Design of Systems. Annals of the CIRP, vol. 46 (1), pp. 75-80.
  20. Tang, D., Zhang, G., Dai, S., 2009. Design as integration of axiomatic design and design structure matrix. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, vol. 25, pp. 610-619.
  21. Tang, D., Zhu, R., Tang, J., Xu, R., He, R., 2010. Product design knowledge management based on design structure matrix. Advanced Engineering Informatics, vol. 24, pp. 159-166.
  22. VV.AA., 2008. CATIA - Product Knowledge Template Definition 2, Dassault Systemes. www.3ds.com/ product/catia.
  23. VV.AA., 2012. Data sheet CREO Advanced Assembly Extension, PTC Inc.
  24. Wilson, R. J., 1978. Introduzione alla teoria dei grafi, Cremonese Editore.
Download


Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

Patalano S., Vitolo F. and Lanzotti A. (2013). A Graph-based Software Tool for the CAD Modeling of Mechanical Assemblies . In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications and International Conference on Information Visualization Theory and Applications - Volume 1: GRAPP, (VISIGRAPP 2013) ISBN 978-989-8565-46-4, pages 60-69. DOI: 10.5220/0004299000600069


in Bibtex Style

@conference{grapp13,
author={Stanislao Patalano and Ferdinando Vitolo and Antonio Lanzotti},
title={A Graph-based Software Tool for the CAD Modeling of Mechanical Assemblies },
booktitle={Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications and International Conference on Information Visualization Theory and Applications - Volume 1: GRAPP, (VISIGRAPP 2013)},
year={2013},
pages={60-69},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0004299000600069},
isbn={978-989-8565-46-4},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications and International Conference on Information Visualization Theory and Applications - Volume 1: GRAPP, (VISIGRAPP 2013)
TI - A Graph-based Software Tool for the CAD Modeling of Mechanical Assemblies
SN - 978-989-8565-46-4
AU - Patalano S.
AU - Vitolo F.
AU - Lanzotti A.
PY - 2013
SP - 60
EP - 69
DO - 10.5220/0004299000600069