GEOMETRIC MODELING

INTRODUCTION

Geometric modeling is a branch of applied mathematical and computational geometry

that studies methods and algorithms for mathematical description of shapes

The shapes studied in Geometric modeling are mostly 2-Dimensional or 3-

Dimensional although many of its tools and principles can be applied to sets of any finite

dimension. Most Geometric modeling is done with computer and computer based

applications. 2-Dimensions models are important in computer typography (The art and

technique of arranging type in order to make language visible) and technical drawings. 3-

Dimensional models are central to CAD and CAD many applied technical fields. Such as

civil, mechanical, architecture, geology, medical image processing.

NEED OF GEOMETRIC MODELING

For manufacturing automobile engine it require around 10,000 drawings models in

various departments with different styles. Once models are prepared using any CAD

software, these models can be used in almost all departments of the organization which
includes1. Designing the parts and assemblies and then performing tolerance analysis of the

assemblies

2. Preparation of production drawings of individual parts, subassemblies, assemblies,

tooling and jig-fixtures

3. Making structural, thermal and kinetic analysis

4. Considering volume of parts and after extracting material properties from material library,

cost estimation can be easily done

5. Process plans are also prepared for all the components

6. Using CAM software’s, we can model as input for CNC programming

7. Programming the movement of the components from one station to another is possible

using various material devices such as robots, conveyors, automated guided vehicles

8. Using coordinate measuring machine (CMM) dimensional and geometric accuracies are

checked by extracting various dimensions and parametric from the models only

9. Other supporting activities such as material requirement and procurement, preparation of

bill of materials, manufacturing resource requirement, planning and scheduling, analysis

With competitions products etc are also possible once geometric models are available

thus for all these activities, geometric models becomes the central that will be manipulate at

all these storages. While modeling, geometric models are prepared in such a way that the

other modules such as CAM, CAE, Mechanism systems are able to use this information in

the most optimal and efficient way.

REQUIREMENTS OF GEOMETRIC MODELING

The requirement of geometric modeling is manifold. The conceptual design is the

basis of the generation of geometric model. The choice of the geometric model depends on

the mechanical functions to be performed by it. A valid geometric model is created by CAD

system and its model database is stored. The database of geometric modeling is used for

engineering analysis and for design optimization. Design testing and evaluation may

necessitate changing the geometric model before finalizing it. When the final design is

achieved, it is documented and used for subsequent manufacturing applications, quality and

cost analysis.
Good geometric model is designed based in the following important guidelines1. Modeling method must
be easy to use

2. Completeness of part representation

3. Representation should be able to represent a useful set of geometric objects

4. Model should not create any ambiguity (The ability to express more than one

interpretation) to users. A given representation should correspond to one and only one

solid

5. To represent the solid normally there should only unique way. With this one can compare

two identical solid representations

6. A geometric model must be very accurate. There should not be any approximation

7. Geometric modeling should not create any invalid or impossible models

8. The various transformations such as move, rotation, scale etc and manipulations such as

union, intersect, subtract etc should able to be performed on geometric model

9. A good representation should be compact enough for saving space and allow for efficient

algorithms to determine desired physical characteristics

10. Geometric model should have shading and rendering (Generation an image for a model

by means of a computer program) capability to give realistic effect to the model

GEOMETRIC MODELS

The geometric models are broadly classified on the basis of geometric construction

into the following categories

2. Three Dimensional (3D)

Two Dimensional (2D)

The 2D modeling includes the construction of geometrical faces, plane drawings, 2D

views (Top, Front, Right, and Light views) of objects. Presently, the application of 2D model

is limited to drafting, sheet metal manufacturing, Spot welding, Laser cutting etc.

Three dimensional (3D)

The 3D modeling is widely used for engineering applications. It provides all the

information required for animation, design analysis and manufacturing. The 3D objects are

shown in below figure.

1. Wireframe modeling

Wireframe modeling is the oldest and simplest methods of geometric modeling which

can be used to store model mathematically in the computer memory. It contains information

about the locations of all the points (vertices) and edges in space coordinates. Various
wireframe entities are points, lines, planer arcs, circle, curves etc. Each vertex is defined by x,

y, z coordinates. Edges are defined by a pair of vertices and faces are defined as three or more

edges. Thus wireframe is a collection of edges, there is no skin defining the area between the

edges. This is the lowest level of modeling and has serious limitations. But it some

applications such as tool path simulation it is very convenient to use wireframe models.

Advantages of wireframe models:

1. It is simple methods and requires less memory space

2. It forms the basis for surface and solid modeling

3. Manipulations in the model can be done easily and quickly

Disadvantages:

1. One of the serious limitation in the ambiguity of orientation and viewing plane

2. Cannot model complex curve surfaces

3. Does not represent an actual solid (no surface and volume)

4. Physical properties such as mass, surface area, volume, centre of gravity etc are not

possible to calculate

5. Wireframe models has no knowledge of surface faces, therefore it will not detect interface

between two matting components and this is serious drawback especially in component

assembly, kinematic analysis, NC tool and robot arm simulation

2. Surface modeling
Surface modeling is the next stage of wireframe modeling. In wireframe modeling

models are unable to represent complex surfaces of objects like car, ship, aeroplane, wings,

castings etc. only a surface profile of these objects. A surface model represents the skin of an

object. These skins have no thickness or material type. Surface models define the surface

properties, as well as the edges of objects. These are often capable of clearly representing the

solid from the manufacturing. However, no information regarding the interior of the solid

model would be available which could be relevant for generating the NC cutter data. Further

the calculation of properties such as mass and inertia etc would be difficult. Surface modeling

facilities would be available as part of the modeling technique and would be used when such

surface is present in the product for design. For example this method is used mode for

specific non-analytical surfaces, called sculptures surfaces such as those used for modeling

the car bodies and ship-hulls. There are a number of mathematical techniques available for

handling these surfaces such as Bezier and B-splines.

Advantage:

1. Eliminates much ambiguity and non-uniqueness present in wireframe models by hiding

lines not seen

2. Renders the model for better visualization and presentation, objects appear more realistic

3. Provides the surface geometry for CAM, NC machine

4. Provides the geometry needed by the manufacturing engineer for mould and die design

5. This can be used to design and analysis complex free-formed surfaces of ship hulls,

aeroplane fuselages and bodies

6. Surface properties such as roughness, color and reflectivity can be assigned and

demonstrated

Disadvantages:

1. Provides no information about the inside of an object

2. Curved surfaces need a fine mesh to be accurate

3. Provides wrong results if mesh is too coarse

4. Complicated computation, depending on the number of surfaces

3. Solid modeling
Solid modeling is the most powerful of 3D modeling technique. This includes vertices

(nodes), edges, surfaces, weight and volume. This model consisting of the complete

description of the solid in a certain form is the most ideal representation, as all the

information requires at every stage of product cycle can be obtained with technique. Defining

an object with a solid model is the easiest of the available three modeling techniques. The

model is a complete and unambiguous representation of a precisely enclosed and filled

volume. Solid model contain bath geometric and available to represent the solid, but

geometry two techniques are very famous, these are constructive solid geometry (CSG) and

boundary representation (B-rep)

Advantages:

1. Mass properties such as area, volume, weight, centre of gravity and moment of inertia can

be determined quickly

2. It allows the design engineer to develop and evaluate alternative concepts for parts and

assemblies while the design is still a theoretical model.

3. Solid models are non-ambiguous

4. Easily exported to different FEM programs for analysis

5. It can be used in newly manufacturing techniques; CIM, CAM, design for manufacturing

(DFM)

CAD/CAM IV B. TECH I SEM (R15)

6. 2D standard drawings, assembly drawings and exploded drawings are generated from the

model

Disadvantage:

1. More intensive computation than wireframe and surface modeling

2. Requires more powerful computers (faster with the more memory)