JP2004021813A - Method and device for preparing data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for preparing data which realize attainment of: at least one of the shortening of a manufacturing period of a trial product formed by rapid prototyping; improving the reproduction of the trial product; and easy design verification. <P>SOLUTION: The method for preparing data comprises a step for acquiring 1st data expressing the three-dimensional (3D) shape of an object prepared by a CAD, a step for generating second data by approximating the 3D shape of the object so that the data volume of the first data is reduced and a step for preparing third data for expressing prescribed structure in the object and manufacturing the structure as a trial product by rapid prototyping on the basis of the second data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention generally relates to product design verification, and more particularly to design verification using three-dimensional CAD and rapid prototyping (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “RP”), where “3” is used. “Dimensional CAD” is a tool for constructing a three-dimensional model by inputting three-dimensional coordinates, and “RP” refers to a technology for rapidly forming a prototype of a product having a designed shape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when designing a component to be disposed inside a housing of a product such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a “notebook PC”), not only whether the component can be accommodated in the housing, but also the product In operation, it is necessary to check in advance the mechanical interference between parts, electrical interference such as noise, workability at the time of replacement of parts, safety of workers, and the like at the design stage. Such a check operation is generally called design verification (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “DR”) in the art. The checklist in which the check items necessary for the DR are posted has been created in advance by the designer, for example, by manually outputting each product to normal paper.
[0003]
CAD is generally used for product design and its DR. DR using two-dimensional CAD data requires poor experience and requires experience because the designer has converted a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional image in his head. However, with the recent spread of three-dimensional CAD, designers can check a three-dimensional image on a computer screen, so that workability is improved. In addition, with the recent spread of RP, designers can create a three-dimensional model having the shape of an object in a much shorter time without creating a prototype using real parts. Convenience and accuracy have improved significantly. As an example of an RP device for producing a prototype formed by RP (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an “RP model”), for example, a laser beam or a liquid resin is formed based on three-dimensional CAD data. Stereolithography devices that cure with ultraviolet light are already known.
[0004]
Hereinafter, a conventional method of manufacturing an RP model will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional method of manufacturing an RP model. First, a product is designed by three-dimensional CAD (step 2002). On the other hand, a commercially available design verification tool may be used using the data created by the three-dimensional CAD (step 2004). Such a design verification tool is used to simulate the mechanical operation, assemblability, maintainability, environmental load, and the like of a three-dimensional model created by a three-dimensional CAD in real time. The designer can use such a design verification tool for DR (step 2006). The designer outputs the result of the design verification tool as a text or an image (Step 2008), and corrects the shape of the three-dimensional CAD while watching the result (Step 2010). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to output the corrected data as RP data to the RP device (step 2012). If it is determined that the corrected data is to be output, data for the RP device is created (step 2014), and the data is output. Input to the RP device. Thereafter, the RP device creates an RP model (Step 2016). When it is determined that the output is not performed in step 2012 or after step 2016, the process ends.
[0005]
In the DR using the three-dimensional CAD, the design verification tool, and the RP, the mechanical check / visual / tactile sensation in various rotation postures and cross sections of the three-dimensional model is verified with reference to a checklist. In DR, there is a case where the RP model is created without looking at the three-dimensional CAD data on the screen, a case where the RP model and the CAD data are compared, and a case where the RP model is only created. May be done.
[0006]
In order to create an RP model, conventionally, three-dimensional CAD data may be used as it is as data for creating an RP model, or three-dimensional CAD data may be partially modified before use. The former example is a case where the external shape of a notebook PC is output. As an example of the latter, there is a case where a notebook PC is cut at a specific cross section, and one of the cut sections is displayed together with the internal structure.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the three-dimensional CAD has poor response, such as taking several seconds to several minutes just to change the direction in which the object is viewed, cannot achieve a short DR time, prolongs the modeling of the RP model, and furthermore, the time until commercialization. There is a problem that it leads to prolonged.
[0008]
Also, when verifying the internal structure by cutting the product at a specific cross section, or during the assembly procedure, the support for supporting the part may not be displayed, and depending on the cross section, the part may be floated in the air. appear. For example, when the product is cut at the center and only the left half is selected, there is a case where the support part of the component included in the left half is in the right half. If this state is modeled by a conventional RP device, parts that are not supported by the cross section will fall, making it impossible to verify the interval between such parts. In other words, even when the problematic part is exposed when the object is cut at the cross section, the conventional RP has a problem that it has only a limited reproducibility with some parts removed. Further, as described above, the RP model cannot be disassembled because it is made of resin or the like. On the other hand, instead of creating an RP model of an object cut at a specific cross-section in this way, a genuine, ie, decomposable, prototype of an object that can withstand the design object is created using actual parts. It is also possible. However, creating a prototype of a genuine object takes a long time, and as described above, is not preferable.
[0009]
Further, there has been a problem that the DR itself takes time and the result of the DR is unclear because there is no support tool for the DR conventionally. For example, a designer must manually create a checklist for each product, as described above. Also, it may be difficult to clearly express the problem of the prototype, for example, when there is a large number of shafts of the same type in order to express that the distance between a certain shaft and the shaft is too narrow. The shaft can be specified by referring to the design data of the three-dimensional CAD, but the DR is not limited to be performed only by the designer who created the design data. Therefore, for example, when a person other than the designer performs the DR using only the prototype modeled by the RP, the problem that the result of the DR becomes unclear becomes remarkable.
[0010]
In FIG. 6, Step 2008 and Step 2010 are not linked, and the designer must correct the three-dimensional CAD data while visually observing the result of the design verification tool, which is complicated.
[0011]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to shorten the manufacturing period of the RP model and to improve the reproducibility of the RP model, thereby facilitating the design verification, and furthermore, aiming at three-dimensional It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for creating data for producing a prototype of a model or data for design verification.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a data creation method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of obtaining first data representing a three-dimensional shape of an object created by CAD, and a method of acquiring data of the first data. Generating the second data by approximating the three-dimensional shape of the object so that the amount is reduced; and determining only a predetermined structure in the object selected by the user based on the second data. And generating the third data representing the following based on the second data. In such a data creation method, the third data is data representing a predetermined structure. Conventional three-dimensional CAD data, when displaying only one of the cross sections of an object with respect to a certain cross section, only makes the cut other invisible, and is still invisible to the user as information on the entire object. Remains. In addition, cutting information, attribute information such as color, and the like remain as history information. Such a function of CAD is to make it possible to restore the original object. However, the present inventors have found that the conventional three-dimensional CAD has poor response and the RP has no We noticed that there was no need for information for restoring things. Therefore, the third data has a predetermined structure and is configured not to represent the entire object, thereby reducing the data amount and securing high-speed response. The second data is, for example, an approximation of an octagonal prism when the three-dimensional shape is a cylinder. Such an approximation is allowed because the accuracy of the RP is not so high, so that even if the approximation is performed, a prototype that the design verification allows can be created.
[0013]
The structure includes a first member supported in the object but not supported in the structure, and the method includes: a second member, the prototype supporting the first member. Editing the third data so as to have the following. According to such a data creation method, the first member, which could not be displayed in the prototype before, can be reproduced by using the second member. The second member is sometimes referred to in the art as a "support." Preferably, in the editing step, the second member is formed inside an outer shape of the object. Thus, it is possible to avoid giving a misunderstanding that the second member actually exists in the object.
[0014]
The method comprises the steps of: making fourth data representing a verification item available to a user at the time of design verification of the object; and, when creating the third data, the user having at least a part of the structure The method may further include a step of enabling input of verification-related information related to the verification, and a step of modifying the second data so that an identifier representing the verification-related information is displayed on the prototype. Thus, such a data creation method can function as a design verification support tool.
[0015]
Note that software for implementing any of the above methods by a computer also constitutes one aspect of the present invention. Such software may be operable as a three-dimensional CAD. In this case, the three-dimensional CAD and the method of the present invention are configured as integrated software.
[0016]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data creating apparatus configured to reduce a data amount of an object based on first data representing a three-dimensional shape of the object created by CAD, such that a data amount of the first data is reduced. A first editing unit that approximates the three-dimensional shape to generate second data, and a rapid for representing a predetermined structure in the object and manufacturing the structure based on the second data. It has a second editing unit for creating third data used in a prototyping device, and an interface for transmitting the third data to the rapid prototyping device. According to this data creation device, the first editing unit creates the second data by approximating the data of the three-dimensional CAD. For example, when the three-dimensional shape is a cylinder, it approximates an octagonal prism. The second editing unit further edits the second data to create third data representing a predetermined structure. By configuring the third data so as to represent a predetermined structure and not to represent the entire object, the amount of data is reduced and high-speed response is ensured. Also, the second editing unit can manage the verification-related information and the prototype in association with each other. Also, the interface allows the third data to be transmitted to the RP device as it is.
[0017]
The verification-related information includes, for example, information for obtaining the structure from the object and identification information indicating a specific part of the structure. The information processing apparatus may further include a control unit configured to display the verification-related information of the specific part by inputting the identification information to the input unit. As a result, the verification-related information and the specific structure of the prototype can be managed in association with each other based on the identification information.
[0018]
The data creation device includes a checklist library as a verification item, an assembly procedure model library representing an assembly procedure of the object, and an assembly procedure model representing an assembly procedure of a plurality of specific parts of the object. A library, a cross-section model library representing cross-section information including the structure of the object, an error part model library determined to be inappropriate as a design verification result of the object, and viewing angle information of display means for displaying the structure. The storage device may further include a storage unit that stores information such as a viewing angle library to be displayed, the related information, and design change information of the object as a result of the design verification. Such storage facilitates design verification.
[0019]
Other objects and further features of the present invention will become apparent in the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a design verification support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the design verification support system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the DR support system 1 is a comprehensive system for facilitating DR. Specifically, (1) a screen such as a computer display (not shown) for design data of a DR object To enable the user to perform DR using the design data, (2) to form an RP model of the object and enable the user to perform DR using the RP model. , (3) improving the workability of DR by the user.
[0021]
The DR support system 1 includes a three-dimensional CAD 10, an RP device 20, and a support unit 100. In the present embodiment, for example, the three-dimensional CAD 10 and the support unit 100 are configured as software installed on a PC, but are not limited to such a form.
[0022]
The three-dimensional CAD 10 is a general-purpose CAD that forms a three-dimensional model of an object. The three-dimensional model formed by the three-dimensional CAD 10 not only faithfully reproduces the outline of the object as a solid model, but also includes attribute information such as data update history information and color. Regardless of the name, any technique known in the art can be applied to such a CAD, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0023]
The RP device 20 is a device that rapidly forms an RP model having an external shape of an object corresponding to input data. The RP device 20 is composed of, for example, an optical molding device that cures a liquid resin with laser light or ultraviolet light. However, the RP device 20 is not limited to this, and any technology known in the art can be applied, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
[0024]
The support unit 100 acquires (1) three-dimensional data from the three-dimensional CAD 10, edits and creates data of a desired structure of the object based on the three-dimensional data, and displays the data on a screen such as a computer display (not shown). (2) Acquire three-dimensional data from the three-dimensional CAD 10 and edit and create data for representing a desired structure in an object and manufacturing the structure as an RP model based on the three-dimensional data. And (3) providing the user with a function of improving the operability of the DR, which is output to the RP device 20.
[0025]
More specifically, the first function is realized by extracting only data having a desired structure from the three-dimensional data acquired from the three-dimensional CAD 10 and reducing the data amount. That is, as described above, in the conventional three-dimensional CAD data, when only one of the cross sections of the object is displayed with respect to a certain cross section, only the other of the cut sections is made invisible. It still remains as information on the entire object. Also, disconnection information, attribute information, and the like remain as history information. The function of the three-dimensional CAD is to make it possible to restore the original object. However, the data amount of such information is large, and if the three-dimensional CAD data is used as it is, it takes a long time to display and edit. Therefore, by extracting only data having a desired structure from the three-dimensional data and not including information on the entire target object, the data amount is reduced, and high-speed response is secured. Accordingly, it is possible to display the design data of the object on a screen (not shown) at high speed.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the first function also includes a function of approximating the shape of the structure so as to reduce the data amount of the structure, and realizing further high-speed response. For example, when the shape of the component of the structure is a circle, it is approximated to an octagon. The approximation level is adjustable.
[0027]
The first function also extends the function of displaying and editing three-dimensional data by the three-dimensional CAD 10. For example, rather than the three-dimensional CAD 10, the support unit 100 allows the user to see aspects such as assembling and disassembling the object more realistically. For this reason, for example, it is possible to easily perform various mechanical operations in the operating unit of the model created by the three-dimensional CAD and perform mechanical operation verification as a virtual prototype. In addition, if only the three-dimensional CAD data is acquired without the three-dimensional CAD 10, the support unit 100 can realize an editing function such as an interference check suitable for verification among the three-dimensional CAD functions.
[0028]
More specifically, the second function is realized by extracting only data having a desired structure from the three-dimensional data acquired from the three-dimensional CAD 10 and reducing the data amount. The three-dimensional CAD data includes data of attributes (accurate shape, display attribute, creation history, and the like) unique to the three-dimensional CAD with a poor response. Therefore, the data amount of the three-dimensional CAD data is large, and if the three-dimensional CAD data is used as it is, it takes a long time to output the data to the RP. On the other hand, it is sufficient for the RP to form a shape corresponding to the input data, and the RP does not need information for restoring the object. Therefore, by extracting only data having a desired structure from the three-dimensional data and not including information on the entire target object, the amount of data is reduced to ensure high-speed response.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the second function also includes a function of approximating the shape of the structure so as to reduce the data amount of the structure, and realizing further high-speed response. For example, when the shape of the component of the structure is a circle, it is approximated to an octagon. Such an approximation is allowed because the accuracy of the RP is not so high, so that even if the approximation is performed, an RP model that is allowed by the design verification can be created. The approximation level can be adjusted according to the accuracy of the RP and the accuracy required for design verification.
[0030]
The third function includes, in more detail, providing various libraries described later and linking a result of DR using the RP model with a specific structure and component of the RP model. Thereby, the designer can perform DR preparation such as creation of a checklist with good workability. In addition, since the result of the DR is associated with a specific structure and component, it is possible for a person other than the designer to accurately grasp where the problem is in the RP model.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 1, the support unit 100 includes a control unit 110, an editing unit 120, a DR information input unit 130, a cooperative editing unit 140, various libraries 150 to 160, and an interface 170. The control unit 110, the DR information input unit 130, the cooperation editing unit 140, the various libraries 150 to 160, and the interface 170 may be configured integrally with the three-dimensional CAD 10, or may be integrated with the editing unit 120 (for example, a VPS described later). They may be integrated or may be separate as in this embodiment.
[0032]
The control unit 110 is realized as a control program in the present embodiment, and controls each unit of the support unit 100. The control unit 110 communicates with a control unit (not shown) of the PC on which the PC is installed, and displays the data created by the cooperation editing unit 140 and the various libraries 150 to 160 on a display (not shown) of the PC. For example, information input from a non-input means (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or other pointing device) is transmitted to the cooperation editing unit 140 via the DR information input unit 130. Further, the control unit 110 transmits the data created by the cooperation editing unit 140 to the RP device 20 via the interface 170.
[0033]
The editing unit 120 has a function of editing data acquired from the three-dimensional CAD 10. The editing unit 120 acquires data from the three-dimensional CAD 10 represented by the object as a solid model, and approximates the data using a polygon formed of triangular patches. For example, the circle may be octagonal. The approximation level is adjustable as described in the first and second functions above. Since the data amount is reduced as compared with the three-dimensional CAD data, the display performance is higher than that of the three-dimensional CAD 10. In addition, since the data amount of the VPS is reduced, elements of assembly and disassembly can be displayed realistically. Further, the VPS can realize a part of the function of the three-dimensional CAD 10, for example, a verification function.
[0034]
The DR information input unit 130 provides the user with various libraries 150 to 160 to prompt input, and information related to DR, for example, various types of editing information described later, results of DR, members to be noted, comments, For example, it is possible to input colors.
[0035]
Based on the information obtained from the DR information input unit 130, the cooperation editing unit 140 represents a desired structure in the object and creates data for manufacturing the structure as an RP model. For example, if the DR information input unit 130 transmits an instruction to cut the object at the center and display the structure of the left half to the cooperation editing unit 140, the cooperation editing unit 140 Only the data corresponding to the left half is extracted from the entire data, and the data corresponding to the right half is deleted. As a result, only data corresponding to a desired structure of the object can be generated. By reducing the data amount, the cooperative editing unit 140 ensures the first and second functions described above. Note that the editing unit 120 can also receive the cutting information from the DR information input unit 130 and display the cut target to the user. At this stage, the editing unit 120 displays information on the right half of the target, Hidden but retained.
[0036]
In addition, the cooperation editing unit 140 includes a member in which the desired structure is supported in the target object but is not supported in the desired structure, and the RP model supports such a member. The data acquired from the editing unit 120 can be edited to have support. As a result, the same structure as the actual object as the actual product can be reproduced on the cut surface of the RP model. Although the support itself is not a desired structure for the user, the function of preventing unsupported parts from dropping on the cut surface will be referred to as a “desired structure” in the present application even if the support is included.
[0037]
In addition, the cooperation editing unit 140 can ensure the above-described third function by writing a comment or the like input from the DR information input unit 130 into the corresponding portion of the RP model. In addition, since the structure itself is not changed even if the desired structure includes such a comment, the present application will still call it the “desired structure”.
[0038]
The libraries include, but are not limited to, a checklist library 150, an assembly procedure model library 152, a cross section model library 154, an error location model library 156, a viewing angle model library 158, and an RP editing information library 160.
[0039]
The checklist library 150 is a storage unit that manages alternation of verification items that are generally used for each object such as a notebook PC and a printer. This eliminates the need for the designer to manually prepare a checklist for each target object, and suffices to select necessary items from the checklist library 150, thereby improving the workability of DR preparation. Of course, the checklist library 150 does not exclude a user from adding a new item. The checklist library 150 also manages the position and size of the cooperation code. The link code is an identifier for associating the structure and part of the RP model with the result of the DR, and is sometimes called marking information. The link code or the marking information is, for example, stamped on the RP model. With the cooperation code, various messages and the like can be read from the library or another database in the DR using the ID (for example, DR010727-001) incorporated in the RP model as a key.
[0040]
The contents of the checklist library 150 may be displayed on a display of a PC (not shown) in the form of a sub-window, the inspection site may be recorded for each item, and the result may be displayed and printed as necessary.
[0041]
The assembly procedure model library 152 is a storage unit that manages the assembly procedure of each unit. The assembly procedure model library 152 can also assign a serial number to a specific member at the time of RP modeling according to the assembly procedure. For example, when removing a member that drops by removing the support, an identifier is given in the order in which the members to be removed are assembled.
[0042]
The section model library 154 is a storage unit that manages editing information. Editing information is, for example, information on the cut surface for the object selected by the user, information for making part of the object transparent, information for rotating all or part of the object, information indicating the operation stage of the object, The storage unit manages information on the position and length of the support in the cross section, information obtained by enlarging a part of the object, information obtained by removing a part of the object, and the like.
[0043]
The error location model library 156 stores the structure or part determined to be an error and the content of the error as a result of DR, the result of the DR, the changed structure or part and the content of the change, the result of the DR, or the structure determined to require reconsideration. And a storage unit that manages parts and reconsideration items.
[0044]
The viewing angle model library 158 is a storage unit that manages a viewing angle corresponding to a flat model that can be displayed on a PC (not shown). The RP editing information library 160 manages information for identifying conditions and desired structures when identifiers and notes are specifically output to the RP model.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the operation of the design verification support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the design verification support system 1.
[0046]
First, design data of a target product is created using the three-dimensional CAD 10 (step 1002). Next, the editing unit 120 acquires the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10. Next, the control unit 110 determines whether to use the editing unit 120 and the cooperative editing unit 140 (step 1004). If the control unit 110 wants to use the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10 without using the editing unit 120 and the cooperative editing unit 140, the control unit 110 ends the process via a data review step (not shown). Although not shown in FIG. 2, optionally, the control unit 110 converts the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10 into simplified data by the editing unit 120, and performs processing through a data review step (not shown). It can also be terminated.
[0047]
On the other hand, if the control unit 110 determines that the editing unit 120 and the cooperative editing unit 140 are to be used (step 1004), the control unit 110 performs DR using the cooperative editing unit 140. (Step 1006). Step 1006 includes preparing the DR in addition to the DR itself. That is, the user can determine the check items with reference to the checklist library 150 and determine the viewing angle with reference to the viewing angle model library 158. As described above, the user does not need to manually prepare the DR unlike the related art, so that the workability is improved. When DR is performed in step 1006, items according to the checklist are displayed in a sub-window format on the display of a PC (not shown) in which the support unit 100 is installed, the inspection site is recorded for each item, and the result is necessary. May be displayed in accordance with the information, or printable via a printer connected to a PC (not shown).
[0048]
Next, the result of the DR is output as a document or an image (step 1008). In step 1008, the user can input various editing information, assembling procedures, error information, and the like via the DR information input unit 130 with reference to the libraries 150 to 160.
[0049]
Next, control unit 110 determines whether to create an RP model (step 1010). When determining that output should not be performed to RP device 20 (step 1010), control unit 110 determines whether or not to end (step 1012). Therefore, in such a flow, the user can perform the DR based on only the design data. The design data to be used is data in which unnecessary structures (that is, structures other than a desired structure) have been removed by the cooperation editing unit 140 after being simplified by the editing unit 120, and the responsiveness is good.
[0050]
If it is determined that the control unit 110 should not end, such as continuing DR preparation or DR of another structure of the object (step 1012), the process returns to step 1006 to end the process. If it is determined that there is (Step 1012), the process ends.
[0051]
On the other hand, if the control unit 110 determines that the data for creating the RP model should be output (step 1010), it extracts the verification information (step 1014) and creates the RP format data based on the verification information (step 1014). Step 1016), the data edited by the cooperation editing unit 140 is transmitted to the RP device 20 via the interface 170. The transmitted information is RP model data including editing information, display information, display shape information, a cooperation code, and three-dimensional shape correction information. The display information is information indicating the display state of the object in the editing unit 120 or the cooperative editing unit 140. The display shape information is information on the shape of an object created based on the display information. The three-dimensional shape correction information includes information such as the rotation, cross section, and support of the object.
[0052]
Upon receiving such RP model creation data, the RP device 20 creates an RP model (step 1018). With this flow, the user can perform DR with reference to the RP model. The PR model creation data to be used is data that has been simplified by the editing unit 120 and has an unnecessary structure (that is, a structure other than a desired structure) removed by the cooperation editing unit 140.
[0053]
For example, assuming that only the left half of the object shown in FIG. 3 has a desired structure, the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10 has the right half hidden as shown in FIG. However, it still holds the right half of the data. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10.
[0054]
The editing unit 120 simplifies such data using polygons, but still retains the right half of the data.
[0055]
The data created by the cooperation editing unit 140 is data obtained by further processing the data created by the editing unit 120 and removing the right half of the data as shown in FIG. Such data is used in steps 1006 and 1008. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of data obtained by extracting only desired data from the data created by the editing unit 120.
[0056]
However, when creating an RP model, since support may be required as described above, the cooperative editing unit 140 forms RP model creation data to which the support 50 shown in FIG. 5 is added. The support is formed inside the outer shape so that the support 50 is not confused with an actual member, that is, does not affect the DR. Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where a support is added to the structure shown in FIG. 4 in order to prevent unsupported members from falling.
[0057]
According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, since the RP model is created based on less data than the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10, there is an advantage that the RP model can be created in a shorter time.
[0058]
Since the RP model created in step 1016 has added support, it is possible to reproduce parts floating in the air. Therefore, the conventional RP model created based on the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10 is used. Higher reproducibility than. As a result, it is possible to verify, for example, the interval between components that would fall if the conventional RP model is used. Since the support has a size that can be easily obtained, the user can remove the support at any time if necessary.
[0059]
However, the invention also includes the option of asking the user whether to add support and not adding support if the user does not wish. For example, when the user removes a support and removes a falling member, the user may want to assign identifiers in the order in which the removed members are assembled. If it is desired to prevent the member itself from falling, the member to be dropped need not be selected as a desired structure.
[0060]
Further, the RP model created in step 1016 is visually emphasized, for example, by marking an important part to be noted in the DR, such as a link code, a changed part, or a part determined to be an error, with an identifier. Therefore, subsequent DR is facilitated. In particular, when performing DR using only the RP model, DR becomes much easier than conventional DR due to the identifier and comment given to the RP model. Further, according to the method of the present embodiment, it is possible to manage the result of DR and the structure or parts of the RP model in association with each other, which was not possible conventionally. For example, when a comment on the distance between two shafts out of a large number of shafts in an object is given as a result of DR, conventionally, the identification of the two shafts in question was based on only the text, Although the correspondence between the comment and the two shafts in the RP model is not always clear, it becomes clear according to the method of the present embodiment. Also, various messages and the like can be read from the library or another database in the DR using the ID (for example, DR010727-001) stamped on the RP model as a key.
[0061]
Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention does not exclude an option of outputting the data created by the three-dimensional CAD 10 and the data edited by the editing unit 120 to the RP device 20 as they are.
[0062]
After step 1016, the RP device 20 notifies the control unit 110 of the completion of the creation of the RP model. In response to this, if the control unit 110 determines that the process should not be terminated, such as wanting to continue DR preparation, DR another object structure, or create another RP model (step 1012) ), The process returns to step 1006, and if it is determined that the process should be terminated (step 1012), the process is terminated.
[0063]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention can be variously modified and changed within the scope of the gist. For example, a computer-executable program that performs the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2 may be stored on a recording medium and distributed as an independent transaction target, or may be distributed and updated on the Internet or the like.
[0064]
The present application further discloses the following.
[0065]
(Supplementary Note 1) A step of obtaining first data representing a three-dimensional shape of the object created by CAD, and approximating the three-dimensional shape of the object such that the data amount of the first data is reduced. Generating the second data by generating the third data representing only a predetermined structure in the object selected by the user based on the second data based on the second data. Performing the data creation. (1)
(Supplementary Note 2) The structure includes a first member supported in the object but not supported in the structure, and a second member in which the prototype supports the first member. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of editing the third data to have (2)
(Supplementary note 3) The method according to supplementary note 2, wherein the editing step forms the second member inside an outer shape of the object.
[0066]
(Supplementary Note 4) A step in which fourth data representing a verification item is made available to a user at the time of design verification of the object, and when creating the third data, the user performs at least a part of the structure. Further comprising the steps of: enabling input of verification-related information related to the verification; and modifying the second data so that an identifier representing the verification-related information is displayed on the prototype. The method according to supplementary note 1. (3)
(Supplementary Note 5) Based on the first data representing the three-dimensional shape of the object created by the CAD, the three-dimensional shape of the object is approximated so that the data amount of the first data is reduced. A first editing unit for generating the second data, and a third editor used for a rapid prototyping apparatus for representing a predetermined structure in the object and manufacturing the structure based on the second data. A data editing apparatus for generating the data of the third type, and an interface for transmitting the third data to the rapid prototyping apparatus. (5)
(Supplementary Note 6) The data creation device further includes an input unit for inputting verification-related information related to verification of the object with respect to at least a part of the structure, and the second editing unit includes: The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the third data is edited so that an identifier representing related information is displayed on the prototype.
[0067]
(Supplementary note 7) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the verification-related information includes information for obtaining the structure from the object.
[0068]
(Supplementary note 8) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the verification-related information includes identification information indicating a specific part of the structure.
[0069]
(Supplementary note 9) The apparatus according to supplementary note 8, further comprising a control unit configured to display the verification-related information of the specific part by inputting the identification information to the input unit.
[0070]
(Supplementary note 10) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores a checklist library as a verification item that can be referred to by a user.
[0071]
(Supplementary Note 11) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores an assembly procedure model library that can be referred to by a user and that represents an assembly procedure of the object.
[0072]
(Supplementary Note 12) The supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores an assembling procedure model library that can be referred to by a user and that represents an assembling procedure regarding a plurality of specific parts of the object. Equipment.
[0073]
(Supplementary Note 13) The data creation device further includes a storage unit that can be referred to by a user and stores a cross-section model library representing information on a cross-section of the object for forming the structure. The described device.
[0074]
(Supplementary Note 14) The supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores an error location model library that can be referred to by a user and is determined to be inappropriate as a design verification result of the object. Equipment.
[0075]
(Supplementary Note 15) The device according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores a viewing angle library that can be referred to by a user and that indicates viewing angle information of a display unit that displays the structure. .
[0076]
(Supplementary note 16) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores the related information, which can be referred to by a user.
[0077]
(Supplementary note 17) The apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the data creation device further includes a storage unit that stores design change information of the object as a result of the design verification, which can be referred to by a user.
[0078]
(Supplementary Note 18) Software for realizing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 by a computer. (4)
(Supplementary note 19) The software according to claim 18, wherein the software is operable as a three-dimensional CAD.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the data creation method and apparatus of the present invention, at least one of shortening of the manufacturing period of the RP model, improvement of the reproducibility of the RP model, and facilitation of design verification is achieved. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a design verification support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the design verification support system shown in FIG.
3 is a schematic perspective view of an object for explaining the operation of the design verification support system shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is another schematic perspective view of the object for explaining the operation of the design verification support system shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is another schematic perspective view of an object for explaining the operation of the design verification support system shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming a prototype by conventional rapid prototyping.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Design verification support system
10 3D CAD
20 RP device
100 Support Department
120 Editor
140 Linked Editing Department
150 Checklist Library
152 Assembly procedure library
154 Cross section model library
156 Error location model library
158 Viewing angle model library
160 RP Edit Information Library
170 Interface

Claims (5)

Obtaining first data representing a three-dimensional shape of the object created by CAD;
Generating second data by approximating the three-dimensional shape of the object such that the data amount of the first data is reduced;
Generating, based on the second data, third data representing only a predetermined structure in the object selected by the user based on the second data. Method. The structure includes a first member supported within the object but not supported in the structure, such that the prototype has a second member supporting the first member. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of editing the third data. Making fourth data representing a verification item available to a user at the time of design verification of the object;
Enabling the user to enter verification-related information associated with the verification for at least a portion of the structure when creating the third data;
Modifying the second data to display an identifier representing the verification related information on the prototype. Software for realizing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 by a computer. Based on the first data representing the three-dimensional shape of the object created by CAD, the three-dimensional shape of the object is approximated to reduce the data amount of the first data, and the second data is obtained. A first editing unit to be generated;
A second editing unit that represents a predetermined structure in the object based on the second data and creates third data used in a rapid prototyping apparatus for manufacturing the structure;
An interface for transmitting the third data to the rapid prototyping device.

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