Beyond similarity comparison: Intelligent data retrieval for CAD/CAM designs

The profitable prospective of optimizing a new product design with re-using technical knowledge of already manufactured products has exceedingly attracted interests of manufacturers as well as designers. Re-using accumulated know-how has the potential to improve product quality, shorten the design lead-time and reduce costs. One of the key factors for the reliable accessibility of reusing the accumulated knowledge refers to classification of the entire CAD/CAM product data in a repository. In addition, to present various products, a standard data format is required. Among the main methods for classification and standardization of geometrical and topological information of a 3D model, Group Technology is one of the most important methods which contain additional information beside the geometry of a product. Based on Opitz code one of the Group Technology's approaches, this paper proposes a novel method for design decisions using a classified database. Moreover the state-of-the-art of classification methods for 3D shapes aimed for similarity comparison is reviewed. 802 © 2013 CAD Solutions, LLC.