Automatic generation of a set of contiguous surface patches on a computer modeled solid
US5189626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/964
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of operating a computer for generating a plurality of machine tool paths for machining an object from a set of contiguous surface patches arranged on and approximating a computer representation of a solid model is provided. The method includes the steps constructing an equilateral triangle defined by a plurality of surface points, each surface point having a gradient vector substantially normal to the surface of the blended solid model. Using this triangle as a starting point, a series of steps are performed. A current edge having end points is determined from one of the constructed triangle edges. A candidate point positioned equidistant from the end points of the current edge is generated on the blended surface exterior to the constructed triangle. A subsequent triangle is constructed from the candidate point using the current edge as the subsequent triangle base. The subsequent triangle is defined by a plurality of surface points, each surface point having a gradient vector substantially normal to the surface of the solid model. The series of steps are repeated in sequential order upon a previously constructed triangle until the resulting triangular mesh covers a predet…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.