Using Cellular Topology in a Unified Feature Modeling Scheme

Abstract

Different computer-aided systems, which are used in specific product lifecycle stages, have different requirements on product geometry representation. Non-manifold and multi-dimensional geometries are also needed besides two-manifold solid models. Traditional geometric modeling systems, which usually use B-rep or CSG solid models, have limitations to accommodate these diversified requirements. In addition, in an integrated product development environment, to share data as well as to propagate changes across applications, a unified feature modeling scheme, which can support different geometric modeling requirements uniformly, is preferred. In this paper, a unified, cellular topology based feature modeling scheme is proposed. Its model structure and usage in integrating application models are described.

Keywords:

• Unified feature modeling
• Cellular topology
• Product lifecycle management