Concurrent modeling technique for a part and its tooling
A tooling and part design method automatically detects tooling and machining interferences with a desired part design. A user selects a mechanical component. Data indicative of the mechanical component, such as a part template, is determined and displayed to the user. The user selects one or more design parameters of the mechanical component to modify. Any necessary tooling and/or machining functions are embedded in the data, and performed automatically on the mechanical component when the user modifies a design parameter. Any interferences caused by the modification are automatically identified to the user.
1. A tooling and part design method comprising:
selecting a mechanical component;
determining data that is indicative of the mechanical component;
modifying the data in order to alter one or more dimensions of the mechanical component;
automatically selecting one or more tooling functions to perform on the mechanical component from tooling data embedded within the data indicative of the mechanical component; and
identifying interference between the one or more tooling functions and the mechanical component automatically.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
displaying the mechanical component to a user; and
displaying the mechanical component to the user after altering the one or more dimensions.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the data includes generating at least one of a template of the mechanical component, geometric data of the mechanical component, and/or a parametric design of the mechanical component.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying includes selecting a parameter of the mechanical component and changing a value of the parameter.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting one or more tooling functions includes selecting at least one of machining, clamping, handling, and/or processing the mechanical component.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying includes displaying the one or more tooling functions and the mechanical component.
7. A tooling and part design method comprising:
selecting a mechanical component;
determining data that is indicative of the mechanical component;
displaying the mechanical component
modifying the data in order to alter one or more dimensions of the mechanical component;
displaying the altered dimensions of the mechanical component;
automatically selecting a tooling function to perform on the mechanical component from tooling data embedded within the data indicative of the mechanical component; and
identifying interference between the tooling function and the mechanical component automatically.