Research and Application on 3D Variant Design of Metal Structure

This paper analyzed the current variant design for mechanical component, and pointed out the exiting drawbacks. The framework and key technologies that play a vital role in three dimensional variant design were concerned. According to the metal structural characteristic, it built up flexible module and configurable sketch. The four levels variant design including feature, component, assembly, and product were also presented. The automatic adjust of engineering drawing based on topology constraint, dimension constraint and engineering constraint has also been introduced, which automatically adjust all the engineering information in 2D drawing. Under the support of these theories, a rapid design system based on Solid works CAD platform was developed. With the testing work on the interrelated cranes, the application system has validated the feasibility and practicability. It has been carried out successfully in four heave machinery group companies.