Mechanical Design and Manufacturing II:

Mohamed Afifi
Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering
UB2-S12-C
mafifi@nu.edu.eg
Course contents
Section 1: Computer Aided Design

Module 1: Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

Module 2: Computer-Aided Process Planning and Manufacturing
Module 3: Feature Technology and Recognition
Module 4: Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC
Module 5: Internet-Based Integration

Reference: Xun Xu, Integrating Advanced Computer-Aided Design, Manufacturing, and Numerical Control: Principles
and Implementations, Information Science Reference 2009.
Reference download Link: http://alvarestech.com/temp/capp/Integrating%20Advanced%20Computer-
Aided%20Design,%20Manufacturing,%20and%20Numerical%20Control%20(IGI%20Global%202009).pdf
Section 1 Computer
Aided Design
Module 1 Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

Reviews various geometric modelling approaches, such as wireframe,

surface, and solid modelling techniques.
1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

Summary

• Essential activity in product design is to develop a geometric model from conceptual ideas.
• Geometric models can be augmented with material and manufacturing information for CAPP/CAM
activities.
• A geometric model is necessary for engineering analysis, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Geometric modelling involves defining objects using computational geometry, often represented through
software or a modelling kernel.
• Geometry defined via wire-frame, surface, or solid models.
• Geometric modelling has become an integral part of any CAD system.
• Discussion includes wire-frame, surface, and solid modelling approaches.
• Covers computational methods for defining curves, surfaces, and solids.
• Explains concepts of parametric, variational, history-based, and history-free CAD systems.
• CAD was the first computer-aided technology developed and is pervasive in related subjects like
manufacturing.
• The chapter focuses on the application point of view of CAD systems; data formats and exchange issues
are covered in the next chapter.
1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

GEOMETRIC MODELLING APPROACHES

Wire-Frame Modelling:

• Wire-frame modeling, the earliest and most fundamental geometric modeling technique, was initially
developed for creating computer versions of 3D objects. It utilizes basic entities such as points, lines, arcs,
circles, conics, and various curves, enabling the representation of parts in a simple, economical way that
minimizes computing time and memory usage. This approach was especially compatible with early computer
hardware capabilities, primarily used for visualizing motion in simple shapes, like animating mechanisms.

• Although wire-frame modeling is efficient for drafting and visualizing simple shapes due to its straightforward
construction techniques similar to 2D drafting, it faces significant limitations in modeling more complex
engineering artifacts, revealing its deficiencies in applications requiring detailed and comprehensive
representations.
1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

GEOMETRIC MODELLING APPROACHES

Wire-Frame Modelling include :

• Ambiguity in representation and possible nonsense objects;

• Deficiencies in pictorial representation;
• Limited ability to calculate mechanical properties and geometric intersections;
• Limited value as a basis for manufacture or analysis.

Ambiguous wire-frame models

1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

GEOMETRIC MODELLING APPROACHES

Wire-Frame Entities:

• Wire-frame models primarily consist of vertices (points) and edges (lines), managed through specific data
structures in computers to simplify modification, saving, and loading of these entities, which are categorized
into analytic and synthetic for efficient organization.
• The selection of curves in CAD systems is based on their effectiveness in manipulating complex geometries,
including operations like blending, trimming, and creating intersections, to achieve desired design outcomes.
Analytic Entities:

• Analytic entities such as points, lines, arcs, and various curves have well-understood properties and
straightforward computer representation methods, with CAD systems varying in their approach to defining
these entities, supporting efficient design through methods like "copy & paste" or referencing existing lines for
creation.
• The representation of curves in CAD systems, crucial for storing and manipulating thousands of lines and
curves efficiently, relies on minimizing computation and storage through effective schemes, including both
nonparametric and parametric equations to accommodate different problem-solving approaches.
1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

GEOMETRIC MODELLING APPROACHES

Nonparametric Representation of a Curve

• In the case of a 2D straight line, its nonparametric representation can be defined as y = x + 1. This equation
defines the x and y coordinates of each point without the assistance of extra parameters. Thus, it is called the
nonparametric equation of a line. The same line
• It may be described by defining the coordinates of each point using equation,

L = [x, y]T = [x = t, y = t + 1]T (1.1)

where T represents transpose.

The coordinates of each point are defined with the help of an “extra” parameter t, the name parametric
equation. Nonparametric equations of curves can be further divided into explicit and implicit nonparametric
equations. The explicit nonparametric representation of a general 3D curve takes the form of,
L = [x, y, z] T = [x, f(x), g(x)] T (1.2)
where L is the position vector of the point L in the 3D space
This equation enables us to obtain the y and z-coordinates of the points on a curve by direct substitution of
values of x. This suits well for displaying purposes on a computer as a series of points or straight-line segments
are normally used.
1. Geometric Modelling and Computer-Aided Design

GEOMETRIC MODELLING APPROACHES

• The implicit nonparametric representation of a general 3D curve takes the form of,
F(x,y,z) = 0
G(x,y,z) = 0 (1.3)

• Equation (1.3) expresses the relationship between the coordinates x and y, x and z of each point in the 3D space.
Accurate data cannot always be guaranteed. This limits its use in CAD systems.