Convex Decomposition of 3D Solid Models for Automated Manufacturing Process Planning Applications

Abstract

A new method of decomposing 3D solid models for use in automated manufacturing process planning applications is presented in this paper. The resulting algorithm, which is implemented and interacts with a larger suite of planning tools, is based on dividing complex volumes into convex sub-volumes. In order to ensure that the resulting convex sub-volumes are compact and feasible for machining operations, a set of heuristics are developed to categorize, order, and determine splitting directions of the concave edges. Each of the resulting convex sub-volumes represents material that is to be removed from the bounding-box to create the intended work-piece. The set of sub-volumes represents a compound solid (i.e. decomposed solid) that is converted into graph of boundary representation (B-rep) primitives and is reasoned about in a subsequent search process. The algorithm has been implemented and tested on a variety of solid models resembling real automotive parts, and results show the effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithm.