Virtual manufacturing using virtual build and analysis tools
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12339644-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A virtual build of an assembly may be performed by operating a virtual build tool inside of an active session of design software that is configured to design an assembly having multiple individual parts; importing characteristics of the assembly from a three-dimensional (3D) model of the assembly that is maintained by the design software; receiving an input of sequence numbers that indicate an assembly order for the individual parts; generating images for the individual parts as they are incrementally added to the assembly based on the sequence numbers; and generating a set of build instructions based on the sequence numbers and the images for the individual parts, where the set of build instructions illustrate how to physically manufacture the assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention performs a virtual build of an assembly by operating a virtual build tool as a plug-in or application inside of an active session of a design software. The design software designs a three-dimensional (3D) model of the assembly, and the assembly is comprised of a plurality of individual parts. The virtual build tool imports characteristics of the assembly from the maintained 3D model that is maintained by the design software.
The virtual build tool receives input comprising sequence numbers that indicate an assembly order for the plurality of individual parts. The virtual build tool generates images for the plurality of individual parts as they are incrementally added to the assembly based on the sequence numbers, where the images are generated in a window of the design software and imported into the virtual build tool within the active session of the design software. The virtual build tool receives a selection of a subset of the plurality of individual parts.
The virtual build tool determines whether volumes of the subset include overlapping volumes, and generates a list of interferences between the overlapping volumes. Based on the sequence numbers and the images for the plurality of individual parts, the virtual build tool generates a set of build instructions illustrating how to physically manufacture the assembly.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims: a method claim, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, and a system claim. Across these independent claims, the inventive core includes operating a virtual build tool as a plug-in or application inside an active design-software session, importing assembly characteristics from a maintained 3D model, using sequence numbers to incrementally generate part images, performing interference analysis on a selected subset of parts by checking overlapping volumes, and generating build instructions illustrating how to physically manufacture the assembly.
Virtual build tool plug-in inside an active design-software session
Operating a virtual build tool that runs as a plug-in or application inside of an active session of a design software, configured to perform a virtual build of an assembly designed as a 3D model and comprised of a plurality of individual parts.
Importing assembly characteristics from maintained 3D model
Importing, from the design software into the virtual build tool, characteristics of the assembly from a three-dimensional (3D) model of the assembly that is maintained by the design software.
Sequence-number-driven incremental images
Receiving input comprising sequence numbers that indicate an assembly order for the plurality of individual parts, and generating images for the plurality of individual parts as they are incrementally added to the assembly based on the sequence numbers, wherein the images are generated in a window of the design software and imported into the virtual build tool within the active session.
Selected subset interference detection using overlapping volumes
Receiving a selection of a subset of the plurality of individual parts, determining whether volumes of the subset include overlapping volumes, and generating a list of interferences between the volumes of the subset.
Build-instruction generation illustrating physical manufacture
Generating a set of build instructions based on the sequence numbers and the images for the plurality of individual parts, wherein the set of build instructions illustrate how to physically manufacture the assembly.
Non-transitory computer-readable medium implementing the virtual build operations
A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause operations including operating the virtual build tool in an active session, importing assembly characteristics from the maintained 3D model, receiving sequence numbers, generating incrementally added part images in the design software window, performing overlapping-volume interference detection for a selected subset, and generating build instructions illustrating physical manufacture.
System with processors and memory executing virtual build operations
A system comprising one or more processors and one or more memory devices comprising instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause operations including operating the virtual build tool in an active session, importing assembly characteristics from the maintained 3D model, receiving sequence numbers, generating incrementally added part images in the design software window, performing overlapping-volume interference detection for a selected subset, and generating build instructions illustrating physical manufacture.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on an end-to-end virtual build within an active design-software session: importing assembly characteristics from a maintained 3D model, using sequence numbers to incrementally generate part images, analyzing a selected subset for interferences by detecting overlapping volumes, and producing build instructions that illustrate how to physically manufacture the assembly.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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