Geometric Modelling Technique

Computer aided design and drafting (CADD) is a powerful technique to create the drawings.
Traditionally, the components and assemblies are represented in drawings with the help of
elevation, plan, and end views and cross sectional views. In the early stages of development of
CADD, several software packages were developed to create such drawings using computers.

GEOMETRIC MODELLING:-
Computer representation of the geometry of a component using software is called a
geometric model. Geometric modelling is done in three principal ways.
They are:
i. Wire frame modelling
ii. Surface modelling
iii. Solid modelling
These modelling methods have distinct features and applications.

WIRE FRAME MODELLING:-

In wire frame modelling the object is created by using 2-D entities such as point, Straight
line, Poly line, Curves, Circles etc. The object is represented by its edges. The model appears like
a frame constructed out of the wire & hence it is called wire frame model.
The wireframe model can be classified into
1. 2D – Wireframe modelling :- It is suitable for flat objects.
2. 2 1/2D wire frame modelling :- It represents so objects as long as it does not have side wall
details.
3. 3D wire frame modelling :- It is used for 3D representation of objects with side wall details.

In the case of complex parts wire frame models can be confusing. Some clarity can be
obtained through hidden line elimination. Though this type of modelling may not provide
unambiguous understanding of the object, this has been the method traditionally used in the 2-D
representation of the object, where orthographic views like plan, elevation, end view etc are used to
describe the object graphically.

Advantages:-
1. Wireframe models are simple are simple to construct
2. Wireframe models requires less memory for storage as compare to surface & solid models.
3. Wireframe model forms basic for 3D modelling
 4. The computing time is required to retrieve/edit/update a wireframe model is less as compare
to surface or solid

Limitations:-

1. It is very difficult & time consuming to generate the wireframe model require for
complicated object
2. Creation of wireframe model require more input data, compare to that of solid models.
3. The wireframe model of complicate objects are confusing to the view for interpretation,
especially if their is no automatic hidden removal facility.
4. It is not possible to calculate the properties such as mass, volume, moment of inertia etc.
5. The wireframe models are of limit use from the point of view of engineering applications.
They are not suitable for applications such as generating cross section ,checking interference
between mating parts. NC tool path generation & process planning.
6. The wireframe model of an object is most ambiguous representation than its surface
(complicated) & solid model.

SURFACE MODELLING:-
In this approach, a component is represented by its surfaces which in turn are represented by
their vertices and edges. Modelling of curves and surfaces are essential to describe an object that
comes across mech engineering, aerospace product design and automotive design.
Surfaces are the basic building blocks in manufacturing codes for auto mobile panels,Aircraft bulbs
heads and the complex doubly curved shapes of aerospace structures , Marine structure,Consumer
products like plastic containers, and Engineering products like mix flow impellers , foundry
patterns, dies and moulds.

Advantages :-
1. In graphics this helps to create the shaded images of product.
2. In manufacturing surface model helps to generate the NC tool path for complex shaped
components that are encountered in aerospace structure, dies & bolts and automobile panels.
3. The surface models provide the better visulisation as compare to wireframe model.
4. The surface model of an object it is more complicated and less ambiguos
5. Surface model makes possible to calculate such as mass & volume.
Limitations:-
1. The surface model are more complex & hence require more computation time and computer
memory storage compare to wireframe model.
2. The surface model requires more training & math background on the part of user.
3. Some times the surface models are awkward to create & required manipulation wireframe
entities. for example with hole in it may have created with the help of wireframe of entities.

Surface Modelling Technique

Plane Surface: -
Plane surface is defined by 3 non coincident point. It is simplest surface.

Ruled (lofted) surface: -

A lofted surface is formed by two boundary curves (Rials) which are wireframe entities.The
corresponding two boundary points are joined by straight line & surface between them is obtained
by linear interpolation.

Linear sweep (Tabulated Surface): -

Creating a plane surface by linear sweep of line. It is translation of line or profile through
certain distance perpendicular to profile.

Revolving Surface: -
Revolving the straight line about an axis, cylindrical, Conical surface etc can be generated
by this technique.

Combination of plane surface: -

The wedge shape part can be generated with 6 surfaces.

Analytical Surfaces: -
Planes, Cylinders, Cones, Ellipsoid, Parabolic, Hyperbolic etc. Can be defined by
mathematical equation interms of X,Y & Z co-ordinates

Sculptured Surfaces/ Free Formed: -

Surfaces created by spline curve in one or both direction in 3D-Space.These surfaces are
used in manufacturing of car body, panel, aircraft structure, mixed flow empelor , plastic container,
several consumer in engineering products.