An attributed cellular topology representation for engineering collaboration
Abstract
Design has progressed from an individual activity to a cooperative team effort. Current computer tools for engineering have not adequately addressed the unique needs of collaboration in a team environment. A critical technology for collaboration is the exchange if information through computer models of shape and other types of data. Current methods of shape representation do not fulfill the requirements for information exchange. The Attributed Cellular Topology method, which classifies points in space into unique non-overlapping topological cells, is able to represent non-manifold adjacency relationships between topological cells, and allows arbitrary engineering information to be associated with cells through Attributes. The behavior of Attributes under Boolean operations is defined, and a method for expressing Attribute queries is developed using search patterns of Attribute fields combined with logical Boolean operators and special adjacency relationship operators. Methods for transforming an ACT model to traditional Boundary Representation, Constructive Solid Geometry, and Form Feature Representation are described. The ACT method is demonstrated in a conceptual design environment.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Anderson, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering|Computer science
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