/0

Chapter I fntmduction

Rapid Manu(acluring

1.2.1.2 Smjiu.:e Modelling

II

Vurious representation schemes exist for storing solid modelling data but the two
popular s~:h~mt:s art: CSG and Boundary Representation (B-Rep) [Zcid, 199 I].
CSG stores objects as a t;ce, where th.: leaves arc solid primitives and the interior
uudt:~ an: boolean operations (Figure 1. 7). The B-Rcp scheme is based on the
topological notion that each 3D object is bounded by a set of laces. The data is
stored as sets of fuces, edges and vertices that arc linked together to ensure
topological consistency of the model (Figure 1.!!). h1 rno~t solid modelling packages
more th:ln one representation scheme is supported. One is cunsid~rcd the primar~/
scheme and the other representations arc derived from it.
llli!Sl

Wiretramc models form the basis for the creation of surface models. Most existing
surface muddlers require win.:!iame primitives to generate surfaces. The user enters
the vertices and edges as in wireframe models to detlne the boundaries of cac"l1
surface. Then, using the entered data, surfaces are fitted to these edges. Different
mathematical techniques can be employed to represent surfaces. For example, freefi>nll surfaces can be represented using one of the following geomctric:1l
representation techniques: Coons, Bczier, Non Uniform Rational 8-~plincs
11'<\JRBS), quadratir., cylinc!ricnl or spherical surtaces [Zcid, 1991].
Surface models arc more complete and less ambiguous representations than their
wircframc counterparts. Their geometrical databases nrc richer and provide
inftm11ation on surl;1ccs connecting model edges. Thi.~ data is sufficient for
gcncraling cutter pillhs fix NC' machining and therefore most CAM systems arc
bast::d on tl1is n:pn:sentation tt:clmiquc:.
Unfurtunutcly, surfucc modc''s dcGnc only the geometry of objects, do not store any
informntion nbout <heir topology nnd cnn only be regarded as a s;:t of surf:1ccs
llclonging to one ob.icct. Thus, i r one edge is common to two surfac,:s this
information is not stored in the model. This leads to the existence of gaps between
the surfaces whid1 means that surface models cannot detine closed volumes. To use
surface models for RP purposes, these gaps must be 1emovcd, which can be very
clifticult or even impos.~ihlc.

\_
. ...

~~ ~: ~-:;~:::-

1.2.1.3 Solid Modelling

The definition or models in solid modelling is ea~icr than with the other two
modelling techniques. Minimal input data is required and command sequences arc
much simpler. Most Solid Modelling packages suppot1 a Constructive Soli<l
Geometry (CSG) user input. This user interface allows complex objects ll' be built
!iom a set or predefined 3D primitiws. These primitives can be either simple basic
shapes such ns plnnes. cylinders, cones, spheres, etc. or more complex solid o~jeets
crc<.~ted by sweeping 2D sections of'wircthtme entities. To dctinc a solid model, such
primitives arc comhim:d using t.lu: hookan opcmt.ions of union, intersection and
di ffcrcncc.
Solid models provide a complete and unambiguous rcpresent~tion of objects lZeid,
I <)91 j. The complctem~s~: and unambiguity o.f.thcsc models are due to the information
s1orcd in 1heir databases. ;\fl~r a parL.i.t ))n!llrucled, the solid modcllcr converts the
mpul into a data stn,cturc which maintains the geometry and topology of the object.
lu ~:onlrast lu bulb wirdhunc and ~urfwc mudds that store only geometrical data,
solid modelling databases m'c complete and the models arc very easy to verify.

~~~!~~

,._._~

Figure 1.7 A construction tree ror a solid mmlcl

S>lid m<alclling has been acknowledged as a key element in the integration of design
and manu1l1cturing LZeid. 1991). Its widespread usc was made rossihlc hy the large
im:r~::<se iu computing power to cost rntio over the last 10 years. Solid modelling is
nuw considerc'd the most reliable wny of crcming } r>models f(,r H P purposes.

RAJU. B.S.
M. Tech,

FACULTY

.PGDAOR.(PhOJ

Deparirnent of Mechaliicel Engg.

qe.,a lnstilul~ ni Tec-hnology & Mgt
6ANGALOI.It' ':"U 064
P ll : 9 8 <1 0 G5 ::, 1 '' ::, i M )
C~( E'iG87!J63/6q 16~. Ext. 147