International Journal of CAD/CAM
- Volume 2 Issue 1
- /
- Pages.55-67
- /
- 2002
- /
- 1598-1800(pISSN)
Bridging the gap between CAD and CAE using STL files
- Bianconi, Francesco (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Perugia)
- Published : 2002.12.31
Abstract
In many areas of industry, it is desirable to have fast and reliable systems in order to quickly obtain suitable solid models for computer- aided analyses. Nevertheless it is well known that the data exchange process between CAD modelers and CAE packages can require significative efforts. This paper presents an approach for geometrical data exchange through triangulated boundary models. The proposed framework is founded on the use of STL file specification as neutral format file. This work is principally focused on data exchange among CAD modelers and FEA packages via STL. The proposed approach involves the definition of a topological structure suitable for the STL representation and the development of algorithms for topology and geometry data processing in order to get a solid model suitable for finite element analysis or other computer aided engineering purposes. Different algorithms for model processing are considered and their pros and cons are discussed. As a case study, a prototype modeler which supports an exporting filter for a commercial CAE package has been implemented.
File
References
- E. Angel (1999), Interactive Computer Graphics: a topdown approach with OpenGL. Addison-Wesley
- ANSYInc. Ansys (R) Help System Release 5.5.1, 1998
- G. Barequet and Y. Kaplan (1998), A data front-end for layered manufacturing. Computer-Aided Design, 30(4), 231-243
- G. Barequet and S. Kumar (1997), Repairing CAD Models. In IEEE Visualization '97, Phoenix, AZ.
- G. Barequet and M. Sharir (1995), Filling Gaps in the Boundary of a Polyhedron. Computer-Aided Geometric Design, 12(2), 207-229
- E. Becher, J.C Cuilliere, and F. Trochu (2002), Generation of a finite element MESH from stereolitography (STL) files. Computer-Aided Design, 34(1), 1-17
- F. Bianconi (2001), On the topology and geometry recognition in triangulated boundary models. In FEATS2001 - International IFIP Conference, Valenciennes, France, June
- F. Bianconi and P. Conti (1999), A method for consistency check and visualization of STL files. In Xl ADM International Conference on Design Tools and Methods in Industrial Engineering, volume D, pages 5158, Palermo, Italy
- Y.H Chen and C.T. Ng (1997), Integrated Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 33(3-4), 481-484
- Y.H. Chen and Y.Z. Wang (1999), Genetic algorithms for re-triangulation in the context of reverse engineering Computer-Aided Design, 31(4), 261-271
- P. Cignoni, C. Montani, and Scopigno R. Zeta (1998), a Resolution Modeling System. GMIP: Graphical Models and Image Processing, 60(5), 305-329
- P. Cignoni, C. Montani, C. Scopigno, and R. Rocchini (1998), A comparison of mesh simplification algorithms, Computers & Graphics, 22(1), 37-54
- R. Courant and H. Robbins (1941), What is Mathematics ? An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods. Oxford University Press
- H.L. De Cougny and M.S. Shepard (1999), Parallel Refinement and Coarsening of Tetrahedral Meshes. Int. Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering, 46, 1101-1125
- P.F. Jacobs (1996), Stereolitography and other RP&M Technologies. ASME Press
- L. Kunwoo (1999), Principles of CAD/CAM/CAE Systems. Addison Wesley
- Seok-Hee Lee, Ho-Chan Kim, Sung-Min Hur, and Dong-Yol Yang (2002), STL file generation from measured point data by segmentation and Delaunay triangulation. Computer-Aided Design, 34(10), 691-704
- L. et al. Li (2002), A reverse engineering system for rapid manufacturing of complex objects. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 18(1),53-67
- M. Mantyla and J.J. Shah (1995), Parametric and Feature-Based CAD/CAM. Wiley Interscience
- M. Martorelli and S. Patalano (1998), Sulle carattestiche di precisione del processo stereolitografico. In I1 ItalianSpanish Seminar on Design and Feasibility of Industrial Products, pages 177-186, VicoEquense (NA), Italy
- C. McMahon and J. Browne (1998), CAD/CAM principles, practice and manufacturing management. Addison-Wesley
- SA McMains (2000), Geometric Algorithms and Data Representation for Solid Freeform Fabrication. PhD thesis, University of California, Berkeley: Doctoral Program in Computer Science
- H. Park and K. Kim (1995), An adaptive method for smooth surface approximation to scattered 3D points. Computer-Aided Design, 27(12), 929-939
- S.J. Rock and M.J. Wozny (1991), A flexible file format for solid freeform fabrication. In Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, pages 1-12, Austin, TX
- S.J. Rock and M.J. Wozny (1992), Generating topological informations from a bucket of facets. In Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, pages 251-259, Austin, TX
- T. Sakkalis, G. Shen, and N.M. Patrikalakis (2000), Representational validity of boundary representation models. Computer-Aided Design, 32(12), 719-726
- A.E. Uva, G. Monno, and B. Hamann (1998), A New Method for the Repair ofCAD Data with Discontinuities. In II Italian-Spanish Seminar on Design and Feasibility of Industrial Products, pages 59-73, Vico Equense (NA), Italy
- O. Volpin, A. Sheffer, M. Bercovier, and L. Joskowicz (1998), Mesh simplification with smooth surface reconstruction. Computer-Aided Design, 30(11), 875-882 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4485(98)00044-X
- M. Woo, J. Neider, and T. Davis (1997), OpenGL programming guide. Addison-Wesley