Patent ID: 7590497

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for automatic generation of a tolerance scheme, the method comprising: accessing data defining a three-dimensional model that defines a part for manufacture; identifying a tolerance feature in the three-dimensional model; determining at least one unconstrained degree of control for the tolerance feature by constructing a data structure storing information about a plurality of degrees of control relevant to the tolerance feature; and for each degree of control relevant to the tolerance feature, indicating in the data structure that the degree of control is one of controlled, required to be controlled, and not required to be controlled; marking in the data structure that one of the plurality of degrees of control is controlled when a pre-existing constraint is applicable to said one of the plurality of degrees of control of the tolerance feature; automatically creating a tolerance scheme for the tolerance feature; rendering the tolerance scheme and the three-dimensional model in a window such that the tolerance scheme annotates the tolerance feature; and wherein the tolerance scheme is based on an engineering standard for communicating a tolerance; and the tolerance scheme constrains the unconstrained degree of control.