Patent Publication Number: US-2015073578-A1

Title: System and method for converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for converting a three dimensional model into other formats. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method of converting a three dimensional model into a non-application specific format. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, sheet metal manufacturing includes using a Computer Numeric Control (CNC) laser machine to cut planar components. The planar components may then be bent and/or machined as per requirements to obtain the final product. The CNC laser may cut multiple such planar components from a single metal sheet. The various planar parts are nested in order to minimize scrap. A nesting software may require files of the individual planar components in IGES/DXF file format for performing nesting function. 
     Conventional methods for conversion of a three dimensional model of the component to the IGES/DXF file format may require performing multiple manual steps. Performing such manual steps may increase time required for conversion of the three dimensional model. Moreover, these methods may increase a possibility of occurrence of errors which may result in a defective final product. 
     For reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,175 is related to a method of converting a program, such as a graphic database, representing the geometry of a workpiece, into numeric control code in order to program a numeric machine control to operate a machine, such as a router. The machine control receives and processes the program according to a set of machine-specific attributes, including axis configuration and worktable size and layout. Operational attributes, such as feed rate and tool assignments, are specified. Optionally, multiple components or workpieces are nested into a cluster, and available off-fall sheets are matched to the cluster, so as to maximize the efficient use of material. Numeric code is then generated to permit the machine control to operate the machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format. The selected non-application specific format is used for sheet metal manufacturing. The method includes receiving a user input, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), to select the non-application specific format from a defined group of non-application specific formats. The method also includes receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select the three dimensional model that has multiple surfaces from a database. The method further includes receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select a surface from the multiple surfaces. The method also includes receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select a feature that is unrelated to sheet metal manufacturing from the selected surface. The method includes removing the feature to create a two dimensional model of the selected surface. The method further includes converting the two dimensional model to the selected non-application specific format. The method includes creating a file corresponding to the two dimensional model in the selected non-application specific format. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for converting a three dimensional model of a part to a non-application specific format, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the system displaying the three dimensional model, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the GUI displaying a top view of a selected surface of the three dimensional model; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the GUI displaying a selection of features of the three dimensional model to be removed; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the GUI displaying the three dimensional model of the part with the selected features being removed; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the GUI displaying a two dimensional model of the part in the non-application specific format; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart of a method of converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  100 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system  100  is employed to convert a three dimensional model of a part to a non-application specific format. In an example, the three dimensional model may be a CAD model, a CAM model, and the like. Moreover, a file in the non-application specific format may be compatible with multiple environments. The non-application specific formats may be, for example, a DXF format, an IGES format or any other formats known in the art. 
     The system  100  is disposed in communication with a 3D software  104  and a nesting software  106 . The 3D software  104  is a computer implemented product that is configured to generate a three dimensional model of a part. In an embodiment, the system  100  is integrated with the 3D software  104 , such as, Pro/Engineer, Catia, Unigraphics etc. The nesting software  106  may receive files of various parts in the non-application specific formats from the system  100 . The nesting software  106  is configured to perform a nesting arrangement of the parts. Further, one or more manufacturing operations such as, a metal cutting process may be performed on sheet metals in accordance with the nesting arrangement to obtain a flat pattern of a finished product. 
     The system  100  includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI)  110 , a computing module  120  and a database  130 . The GUI  110  may include a touch based interface, a keyboard based interface, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse) based interface, or a combination thereof. The computing module  120  is in communication with the GUI  110  and the database  130 . The computing module  120  may receive one or more user inputs via the GUI  110 . The computing module  120  may be any microprocessor based system, for example, a computer. The computing module  120  is configured to execute instructions and provide one or more outputs based on the user inputs. The database  130  may include data stored in an inbuilt memory associated with the computing module  120 . Alternatively, the database  130  may include data stored in a memory external to the computing module  120 . The computing module  120  is configured to access data from the database  130 . The database  130  may receive one or more three dimensional models from the 3D software  104 . The three dimensional models may be stored in the memory. The database  130  may also be configured to receive output files from the computing module  120  that may be subsequently stored in the memory. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the GUI  110  may include multiple graphical control elements. Each of the graphical control elements may allow a user to provide inputs related to various functions such as, but not limited to, selection of one or more features, creation of one or more files, and the like. The computing module  120  may be configured to receive the user inputs via one or more of these graphical control elements and perform further tasks. More specifically, the system  100  enables conversion of a three dimensional model into a selected non-application specific format based on user inputs via the GUI  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, an exemplary three dimensional model  102  is shown. 
     The GUI  110  includes a first control element  202  that allows a user to select a non-application specific format from a defined group of formats. For example, the defined group of formats may include a DXF file format and an IGES file format. In the illustrated embodiment, the first control element  202  is an input box having a drop-down menu. The drop-down menu includes the defined group of formats. The first control element  202  allows a user to click on the drop down menu upon which a list of the formats from the group are displayed. The first control element  202  further allows the user to select one of the formats from the list. 
     In another embodiment, the first control element  202  may be a list box that provides the formats in the form of multiple lines. The first control element  202  may allow a user to select a format from the group of formats that are provided in the multiple lines. 
     The computing module  120  is configured to receive an instruction to select a format based on the user input via the first control element  202 . For example, if the user selects the DXF format from the list, the computing module  120  receives an instruction to select the DXF format. As such, the computing module  120 , as will be discussed herein, subsequently creates a file in the DXF format. 
     The GUI  110  also includes an input box  203  that allows the user to input a name for the output file. The computing module  120  is configured to receive the name of the output file via the input box  203 . 
     The GUI  110  also includes a second control element  204  that allows the user to select the three dimensional model  102  from the database  130 . The second control element  204  may include a select button such as, a browse button. The second control element  204  may allow the user to click on the button upon which a folder including the set of three dimensional models may be opened. The GUI  110  may further allow the user to click on the three dimensional model  102  from the set of three dimensional models. The computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to selection of the three dimensional model  102  via the second control element  204 . The computing module  120  is further configured to retrieve the selected three dimensional model  102  from the database  130  and subsequently display the selected three dimensional model  102  on the GUI  110 . The three dimensional model  102  includes multiple surfaces (one surface  108  shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The GUI  110  may also include a control element  208  that allows the user to provide an input to select a type of the part. The control element  208  may be a drop-down menu that includes multiple menu items corresponding to various part types. In the illustrated embodiment, the menu includes two items corresponding to the part being a flat part and a bent part respectively. For example, if the selected three dimensional model  102  corresponds to the bent part, the user may select a menu item corresponding to the bent part. Further, the computing module  120  may be configured to change a file instance to an equivalent flat pattern of the bent part upon receiving the user input via the control element  208 . In such a case, the computing module  120  is configured to display the flat pattern of the bent part on the GUI  110  and use the flat pattern for further processing. Moreover, upon receiving the user input via the control element  208 , the computing module  120  may display the three dimensional model  102  in a suitable orientation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the GUI  110  includes a third control element  206  that allows the user to select one of the surfaces from the multiple surfaces of the selected three dimensional model  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the surface  108  is selected. The third control element  206  is a select button that allows the user to click on the select button. Subsequently, the GUI  110  allows the user to click on the surface  108  that is to be selected. Moreover, the computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to the selection of the surface  108  via the third control element  206 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the GUI  110  further includes a fourth control element  210  that allows the user to select one or more features of the selected three dimensional model  102 . The selected three dimensional model  102  may include one or more features such as, a chamfer  109 , a hole  111 , and the like. Such features may be unrelated to the sheet metal cutting operations. The fourth control element  210  allows the user to select these unrelated features. The fourth control element  210  includes a select button  212  and a dialogue box  214 . The fourth control element  210  allows the user to click the select button  212  and the GUI  110  subsequently allows the user to click on one or more unrelated features from the selected three dimensional model  102 . Moreover, as the user clicks on a particular feature from the three dimensional model  102 , a name of the feature may be displayed in the dialogue box  214 . Additionally, the dialogue box  214  may allow the user to deselect one or more features displayed thereon. 
     In various other embodiments, the fourth control element  210  may be a drop down menu or a list box which includes a list of all the features of the selected three dimensional model  102 . The fourth control element  210  may allow the user to conditionally select one or more features to be removed from the list of all the features. In the illustrated embodiment, a user selects the chamfer  109  and the hole  111  defined in the selected three dimensional model  102 . The computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input via the fourth control element  210  corresponding to selection of the features  109 ,  111 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the computing module  120  is configured to remove the selected features and create a two dimensional model  216  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the selected surface  108 . The GUI  110  includes a sixth control element  220  that allows the user to provide an input to preview the two dimensional model  216 . The sixth control element  220  may be a select button. The computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input, via the sixth control element  220 , corresponding to generation of the preview of the two dimensional model  216 . The computing module  120  accordingly generates the preview for display to the user on the GUI  110 . 
     The GUI  110  further includes a fifth control element  218 . The fifth control element  218  allows the user to provide an input to create the two dimensional model  216  of the selected surface  108 . The fifth control element  218  may be a select button. Moreover, clicking of the button may open a dialogue box (not shown) showing a message. Further, the dialogue box may include a confirmation button (not shown). The GUI  110  may allow the user to click on the confirmation button so as to create the two dimensional model  216  in the selected non-application specific format. The computing module  102  is configured to receive the input via the fifth control element  218  and create the two dimensional model  216 . The computing module  102  is also configured to convert the two dimensional model  216  to the selected non-application specific format. The computing module  120  is further configured to create the file corresponding to the two dimensional model  216  in the selected non-application specific format. 
     Further, the computing module  120  creates a file of the two dimensional model  216  in the selected non-application specific format. Moreover, the computing module  120  may store the file in the memory of the database  130  by the file name provided by the user via the input box  203 . The GUI  110  further includes a seventh control element  222  that allows the user to provide an input corresponding to opening of the created file. The seventh control element  222  may be a select button. The computing module  120  is configured to open the created file upon receiving the user input via the seventh control element  222 . Moreover, the computing module  120  may be configured to display the two dimensional model  216  on the GUI  110  upon receiving the user input via the seventh control element  222 . 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art will acknowledge that the GUI  110  and the corresponding graphical control elements explained above are merely exemplary in nature and hence non-limiting of this disclosure. Moreover, necessary design and/or functional modifications may be possible for the GUI  110  without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The system  100  is disposed in communication with the nesting software  106 . The nesting software  106  may receive the created file as input for further processing. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart of a computer-implemented method  700  of converting the three dimensional model  102  to the non-application specific format, according to an embodiment of the preset disclosure. In an embodiment, the method  700  may be implemented via the system  100  described above. 
     At step  702 , the method  700  includes receiving a user input via the GUI  110  to select the non-application specific format from a group of non-application specific formats. In the illustrated embodiment, the first control element  202  of the GUI  110  allows a user to provide an input corresponding to selection of the desired non-application specific format. Further, the computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to selection of the non-application specific format via the first control element  202 . 
     At step  704 , the method  700  includes receiving a user input, via the GUI  110 , to select the three dimensional model  102  from the database  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second control element  204  of the GUI  110  allows the user to provide an input to select the three dimensional model  102 . Further, the computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to selection of the three dimensional model  102  via the second control element  204 . At step  704 , the method  700  may further include receiving a user input, via the GUI  110 , that is indicative of a type of the part. In the illustrated embodiment, the control element  208  of the GUI  110  allows a user to provide an input to select a type of the part. Moreover, the computing module  120  is configured to change a file instance to the flat pattern upon receiving a user input corresponding to the part being the bent part. In such a case, the equivalent flat pattern may be used thereafter for further processing. 
     At step  706 , the method  700  includes receiving a user input, via the GUI  110 , to select a surface from the multiple surfaces of the three dimensional model  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the third control element  206  of the GUI  110  allows the user to provide an input to select the surface  108 . Further, the computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to selection of the surface  108  via the second control element  204 . 
     At step  708 , the method  700  includes receiving a user input, via the GUI  110 , to select a feature from the selected surface that is unrelated to the sheet metal manufacturing. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth control element  210  of the GUI  110  allows the user to provide an input to select one or more features such as, the chamfer  109  and the hole  111  that are unrelated to the sheet metal manufacturing. Moreover, the GUI  110  may allow the user to optionally provide an input to select the unrelated features. Further, the computing module  120  is configured to receive the user input corresponding to selection of the features  109 ,  111  via the third control element  206 . 
     At step  710 , the method  700  includes removing the features to create the two dimensional model of the selected surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the computing module  120  removes the hole  111  and the chamfer  109  that are selected via the third control element  206 . Further, the computing module  120  is configured to create the two dimensional model  216  of the selected surface  108 . 
     At step  712 , the method  700  includes converting the two dimensional model  216  to the selected non-application specific format. The computing module  120  processes various inputs provided by the user and converts the two dimensional model  216  to the selected non-application specific format. The selected non-application specific format is based on the user input received via the first control element  202  in step  702 . 
     At step  714 , the method  700  includes creating the file corresponding to the two dimensional model  216  in the selected non-application specific format. The fifth control element  218  of the GUI  110  allows the user to provide an input to create the file. The computing module  120  receives the user input via the fifth control element  218  and subsequently creates the file. Moreover, the created file has a name that is provided by the user via the input box  203 . The created file may be stored in the memory of the database  130 . One or more of these files in the non-application specific format may be used by the nesting software  106  for performing the nesting function. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The system  100  and method  700  of the present disclosure has applicability for use and implementation in converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format. An implementation of the method  700 , as disclosed herein, may require minimum manual intervention thereby reducing a possibility of occurrence of error. 
     Additionally, a user may be able to quickly convert the three dimensional model to any desired non-application specific format by implementation of the method  700 , thereby saving time. Moreover, one or more components of the system  100  may be integrated into an existing 3D software. 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.