CAD/CAM

Introduction
Data Base Structures and Contents
Nearly all functions of a CAD system depend on its data base. The data
base includes:
.
1. Application models
2. Designs
3. Drawings
4. Assemblies
5. Alphanumeric information such as Bill of Material (BOM)
6. Interactive graphics software such as system commands, function
menus and plotter output routines. The data base resides in
computer memory (primary storage) and secondary storage.
Foley and Van Dam define the basic ingredients of the application model
which must be carried out in the data base. The following model structure is
patterned after their suggested data base organization:

1. Basic graphic elements (points and other elements)

2. Geometry (shape) of the model components and their layout in
space.
3. Topology or structure of the models how the various components
are connected to form the model.
4. Application specific data, such as material properties.
5. Application specific analysis programs, such as FEM programs

The list represents a building-block approach to model formulation, with items

in category 1 being the most elementary ingredients. They are combined to
form the components in category 2, which in turn are used to construct
category 3, and so forth. The model structure consists of both data and
procedures to connect, describe, and the analyze the model.
 Organization of Model Data Base
The model data base can be organized in various ways. This depends on the type
of model (mechanical, electrical etc) and the preference of the CAD system
designer.

Complete descriptions Store a minimum of data

of the model stored but with more complete
explicitly as data procedures

Resulting more storage So that the model

space can be recomputed
when needed
 Possible Data Structures

Storing coordinates of the geometry

This involves storing the coordinates of the geometry together with other
information which might be required to more completely define the model or to
use certain application programs (e.g. engineering analysis or numerical control
part programming.
There are disadvantages to this type of data structure.
For example, consider the definition of the cylinder. The definition might be a
line segment, parallel to the y axis, and rotated about the axis to form the
cylinder..

Graph based models

The graph based model, illustrated as a tetrahedron, is composed of a series of
points and lines which establish relationships among the points, edges, and
surfaces of the geometric element.

Boolean operation
This can be used to construct the geometric model. The process is sometimes
referred to by the term Boolean modeling.
 Transformations
Geometric Modelling provides a mathematical description of a geometric
objects: point, line, conic section, surface, or a solid.

Transformation is the backbone of computer graphics, enabling us to

manipulate the shape, size, and location of the object. It can be used to effect
the following changes in a geometric object:

Change the location

Change the Shape
Change the size
Rotate
Copy etc.
Geometric transformations have numerous applications in geometric modeling,
e.g., manipulation of size, shape, and location of an object. In CAD,
transformation is also used to generate surfaces and solids by sweeping curves
and surfaces, respectively
 Types of Transformations
There are two types of transformations

Modeling Transformation
This transformation alters the coordinate values of the object. Basic operations
are scaling, translation, rotation and, combination of one or more of these basic
transformations. Examples of these transformations can be easily found in any
commercial CAD software. For instance, AutoCAD uses SCALE, MOVE, and
ROTATE commands for scaling, translation, and rotation transformations,
respectively.

Visual Transformation
In this transformation there is no change in either the geometry or the
coordinates of the object. A copy of the object is placed at the desired sight,
without changing the coordinate values of the object. In AutoCAD, the ZOOM
and PAN commands are good examples of visual transformations
 Modeling Transformations

To locate a point in two axis Cartesian system, the x and y coordinates are
specified. These coordinates can be treated together as a 1x2 matrix: (x,y). For
example, the matrix (2,5) would be interpreted to be a point which is 2 units
from the origin in the x-direction and 5 units from the origin in the y-direction.

This method of representation can be conveniently extended to define a line

as a 2x2 matrix by giving the x and y coordinates of the two end points of the
line. The notation would be

L= x1 y1

x2 y2

Using the rules of matrix algebra, a point or line can be operated on by

transformation matrix to yield a new element.

Concatenation
 Classification of Wire-frame Entities
Curves are used to draw a wireframe model which consists of points and
curves. In general the curves can be classified as follows:
Regardless of the user input to create a line, a line
database stores its two endpoints and additional
information such as its font, width, color and layer.
Besides other information, a circle database stores its
radius and centre as its essential geometric data.