The present application does not claim priority from any patent application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to mechanical
automation, and more particularly to a system and a method for automatically identifying
mechanical operations required to manufacture elements of a product.
BACKGROUND
[003] Automation is the order of the day in today’s manufacturing world. There exists a
large pool of assembly components without manufacturing information. An automated
system and method for generating information about manufacturing requirements of a
product is required. Such information could be used in process planning, cost planning, and
plans related to development of mechanical products.
[004] Existing modeler tools like SolidWorks, NX, CREO, and Catia can merely assist in
designing assemblies but they lack the capability to determine mechanical operations
required to develop a component present in a product. Thus, there remains a need to develop
such system and method using which mechanical operations required to develop components
present in a product could be identified, and subsequently such information could be used to
manufacture the components.
SUMMARY
[005] Before the present systems and methods for classifying elements of a product are
described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular systems,
and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not
expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology
used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations or
versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present
application.
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[006] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a system and a method for
classifying elements of a product. This summary is not intended to identify essential features
of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[007] In one implementation, a system for classifying elements of a product is disclosed. In
one aspect, the system comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. Further,
the processor may be capable of executing instructions in the memory to perform one or more
steps. In the aspect, the system may identify one or more elements of the product. The system
may further determine, using a feature recognition technique, features of the one or more
elements. The features correspond to manufacturing operations required for manufacturing
the one or more elements, and include sheet metal operations, turn operations, injection
moulding operations, and machining operations. The manufacturing operations are
determined in a priority order with the sheet metal operation having a highest priority and the
machining operation having a least priority.
[008] In one implementation, a method for classifying elements of a product is disclosed. In
one aspect, the method may comprise identifying one or more elements of the product. The
method may further comprise determining, using a feature recognition technique, features of
the one or more elements. The features correspond to manufacturing operations required for
manufacturing the one or more elements, and include sheet metal operations, turn operations,
injection moulding operations, and machining operations. The manufacturing operations are
determined in a priority order with the sheet metal operation having a highest priority and the
machining operation having a least priority.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in
conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating of the present subject
matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures;
however, the invention is not limited to the specific method and system disclosed in the
document and the figures.
[010] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in
4
which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the
drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[011] Figure1 illustrates a network architecture diagram 100 of a system 102 and devices
104 connected together for classifying elements of a product, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
[012] Figure 2 illustrates a block level diagram of the system 102, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
[013] Figure 3a illustrates a wall, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[014] Figure 3b illustrates a bend, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[015] Figure 3c illustrates a flange, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[016] Figure 3d illustrates a stamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[017] Figure 4a illustrates an external end profile, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
[018] Figures 4b and 4c illustrate internal end profile, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present subject matter.
[019] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a rib, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[020] Figures 5c and 5d illustrate a rib, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[021] Figure 5e illustrates a boss, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[022] Figure 6a illustrates a blind pocket, and Figure 6b illustrates a through pocket, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
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[023] Figure 6c illustrates a blind slot, and Figure 6d illustrates islands, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[024] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary product, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
[025] Figure 7a illustrates a 3D representation of a Bush, and Figure 7a’ illustrates a 2D
representation of the Bush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[026] Figure 7b illustrates a 3D representation of a Pivot, and Figure 7b’ illustrates a 2D
representation of the Pivot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[027] Figure 7c illustrates a 3D representation of a U – Support, and Figure 7c’ illustrates a
2D representation of the U – Support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[028] Figure 7d illustrates a 3D representation of a Pin, and Figure 7d’ illustrates a 2D
representation of the Pin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[029] Figure 7e illustrates a 3D representation of a Bracket, and Figure 7e’ illustrates a 2D
representation of the Bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[030] Figure 8 illustrates a method 800 for classifying elements of a product, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[031] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be
discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and
other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an
item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of
such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be
noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[032] Although any systems and methods for classifying elements of a product, similar or
equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of
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the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods for classifying elements of a
product are now described. The disclosed embodiments for classifying elements of a product
are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[033] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments for classifying
elements of a product. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the
present disclosure for classifying elements of a product is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features described herein.
[034] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation diagram 100 of a system 102
for classifying elements of a product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter may be described. In one example, the system 102 may be connected with
devices 104-1 through 104-N (collectively referred as 104) through a communication
network 106.
[035] It should be understood that the system 102 and the devices 104 are different
computing devices. The system 102 may be implemented in a variety of computing systems,
such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe
computer, a server, a network server, a cloud-based computing environment, and a mobile.
The devices 104 may include a laptop 104-1, a smart phone 104-2, or a data storage device
such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 104-N. The devices 104 may be used for providing a 3-
Dimensional (3D) model of the product. Upon receiving the 3D model from the devices 104,
the system 102 may perform further processing, as described in later sections.
[036] In one implementation, the communication network 106 may be a wireless network, a
wired network, or a combination thereof. The communication network 106 can be
implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, Local Area Network
(LAN), Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN),
wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The communication network 106 may
be either a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an
association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, MQ
Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP),
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
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(TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one
another. Further, the communication network 106may include a variety of network devices,
including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[037] Referring now to Figure 2, a block diagram 200 of the system 102 is illustrated in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the system
102 may include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204, and a
memory 206. The at least one processor 202 may be implemented as one or more
microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central
processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals
based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 202
may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory
206.
[038] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for
example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, a command line interface, and the like.
The I/O interface 204 may allow a user to interact with the system 102. Further, the I/O
interface 204 may enable the system 102 to communicate with the user devices 104, and
other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O
interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and
protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless
networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may include one or
more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[039] The memory 206, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data
processed, received, and generated by one or more of modules 208. The memory 206 may
include any computer-readable medium or computer program product known in the art
including, for example, volatile memory, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as Read
Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable and
Programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic
tapes.
[040] The memory 206 may include data generated as a result of the execution of one or
more of the modules 208. In one implementation, the memory 206 may include data 210. The
8
modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation,
the modules 208 may include a sheet metal operation module 212, a turn operation module
214, an injection moulding operation module 216, a machining operation module 218, and
other modules 220. The other modules 220 may include programs or coded instructions that
supplement applications and functions of the system 102. The modules 208 described herein
may be implemented as software modules that may be executed in the cloud-based
computing environment of the system 102.
[041] The data 210 may include a repository 222 for storing data processed, computed,
received, and generated by one or more of the modules 208. Furthermore, the data 210 may
include other data 224 for storing data generated as a result of the execution of one or more
modules in the other modules 220.
[042] In one implementation, at first, a 3-Dimensional (3D) representation of the product is
obtained. Alternatively, a 3D model of the product may be inputted to the system. The 3D
model of the product may be used to capture details of the product from an appropriate view,
such as a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a back view, a side view, or a perspective
view.
[043] Successively, features of the one or more elements of the product may be determined
using a feature recognition technique. The feature recognition technique operates on
boundary representation models of products. The features may correspond to manufacturing
operations required for manufacturing the one or more elements. Such manufacturing
operations may include sheet metal operations, turn operations, injection moulding
operations, and machining operations. In one preferred embodiment, the manufacturing
operations are determined in a priority order with the sheet metal operation having a highest
priority and the machining operation having a least priority, amongst the listed four
operations.
[044] In one embodiment, features such as walls, bends, cut-outs, flanges, and stamps may
be identified by the sheet metal operation module 212, to be manufactured using the sheet
metal operations. Main criterion for recognition of features related to the sheet metal
operations is that an element should have a uniform thickness. A wall, as illustrated in Figure
3a, is characterized by two parallel planar faces offset by thickness. Figure 3a also shows a
[042] In
9
top surface 300 and a wall direction 302. The top surface and a bottom surface of the wall can
be of any shape. A bend, as illustrated in Figure 3b, is defined as a thin sheet having uniform
thickness and having both top and bottom faces of either cylindrical or conical shapes. Figure
3b also shows a bend axis 304.A flange, as illustrated in Figure 3c, is defined by a profile,
swept along a path. The profile as well path of the flange can be multi-segment. Figure 3c
also shows a path edge 306 of the flange. A stamp, as illustrated in Figure 3d, is a feature
created by embossing sheets.
[045] In one embodiment, features such as an external end profile feature and an internal
end profile feature may be identified to be manufactured using theturn operations, by the turn
operation module 214. The turn module recognizes axis-symmetric features mainly found on
elements. Input provided to the turn module is a potential axis about which the element is
going to be manufactured. A foremost criterion for the turn operations is that the element
should consist of cylindrical and conical faces. Once this criterion is satisfied, the turn
operation module 214 can operate on the product for recognising potential turn features.
Presence of turn features ensures the element to be manufactured using lathe operations.
[046] The turn operation module 214 may operate using a turn feature. The turn feature may
include details for recognizing an external end profile feature. The external end profile
feature, as illustrated in Figure 4a, is a composition of consecutive external element features
with monotonically increasing or equal diameters. The external end profile feature always
starts from one side of the part and stops at one of the neighbour external element features
with largest diameter. The external end profile feature is usually machined with a face down
process or outer turning operation towards chuck. The external end profile feature only exists
at either side of a element, so a maximum of two external end profile features can be formed.
As visible in Figure 4a, two external end profile features share one common external element
feature E3. Therefore, E1, E2, and E3 form one external end profile feature on one direction
and E5, E4, and E3 form another external end profile feature on another direction.
[047] The turn feature library may also include details for recognizing an internal end
profile feature. To an extent, the internal end profile feature is similar to the external end
profile feature, but constituent features are internal. Thus, the internal end profile feature is a
composition of consecutive internal element features with monotonically equal or decreasing
diameters, as illustrated in Figures 4b and 4c. The internal end profile feature always starts
from one side of an element and stops at one neighbour component features with smallest
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diameter. The internal end profile feature is usually machined with a face up process or an
inner turning operation towards the chuck. As visible in Figure 4b, internal element feature
E3 is shared by two internal end profile features. Further, as visible in Figure 4c, sharing of
an internal element feature is not possible.
[048] Features such as ribs and boss may be identified to be manufactured using the
injection moulding operations by the injection moulding operation module 216. The injection
moulding operation module 216 may operate based on an injection moulding feature
including details for recognizing the ribs and boss features. Presence of the ribs and rib
networks indicates that the element is going to be manufactured using the injection moulding
process. Further, presence of the boss features is an additional criterion for classifying the
elements for Injection moulding process.
[049] A profile of a rib 500 can be present as shown in Figure 5a. A rib feature 502 can
have two or more parallel faces separated by a small distance, as illustrated in Figure 5b.
Such distance corresponds to a thickness of the rib. Typically, the thickness ranges from 3-5
mm for most of the parts. Parallelism restriction is waived for drafted ribs. Rib networks are
formed as a collection of ribs. A rib network profile 504 can be present as shown in Figure
5c. Further, Figure 5d illustrates an exemplary rib network 506. The rib network 506 is
created by making a planar profile and extruding the profile in a direction perpendicular to
profile plane. A thickness is also given to the profile during an extrude operation. In normal
ribs, the profile is thickened along a normal of the profile plane; while in a rib network, the
profile is thickened perpendicular to the profile plane. A boss 508, as illustrated in Figure 5e,
is a stand-alone protruding feature present on a base.
[050] In one embodiment, features such as holes, pockets, slots, and islands may be
identified to be manufactured using the machining operations by the machining operation
module 218. The machining operations may be performed by a Computerised Numeric
Control (CNC) machine. The machining operation module 218 may operate based on a
machining library including details to recognize holes of different types, such as counter-bore
holes, counter-sunk holes, counter-drill holes, taper holes, and simple holes. Holes are
depressions in elements with cylindrical, conical, or toroidal side faces. The machining
library may also include details to recognize pockets. The pockets are feature that are
completely covered from all sides. The pockets are either blind pockets or through pockets. A
blind pocket 600, as illustrated in Figure 6a, have defined bottom. A through pocket 602, as
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illustrated in Figure 6b, does not have a defined bottom. A slot is a pocket feature having
multiple openings. The slots are either blind slots or through slots. A blind slot 604 is
illustrated in Figure 6c, as an example. Islands 606 are identified as protrusion features
present on pockets or slots, as illustrated in Figure 6d.
[051] Referring now to an exemplary product as illustrated in Figure 7, working of the
system 102 for classifying elements of a product is explained. The product is made of
different elements which are manufactured using different mechanical operations. The
elements identified to be present in the product include a Bush 700, a Pivot 702, U – Support
704, a Pin 706, and a Bracket 708.
[052] In accordance with the above defined priority of identifying elements, the system 102
may firstly identify the Bush 700 from its 3D representation, as illustrated in Figure 7a. From
the 3D representation, the system 102 may determine a 2D representation of the Bush 700, as
illustrated in Figure 7a’. The system 102 may determine that the Bush 700 will be
manufactured using the turn operation, as the Bush 700 is axis symmetric and has cylindrical
faces. An external end profile and an internal end profile of the Bush 700 may also be
determined.
[053] Successively, the system 102 may identify the Pivot 702 from its 3D representation,
as illustrated in Figure 7b. From the 3D representation, the system 102 may determine a 2D
representation of the Pivot 702, as illustrated in Figure 7b’. The system 102 may determine
that the Pivot 702 will be manufactured using the machining operation, as the Pivot 702
comprises 5-hole features and 2 -slot features.
[054] Successively, the system 102 may identify the U - Support 704 from its 3D
representation, as illustrated in Figure 7c. From the 3D representation, the system 102 may
determine a 2D representation of the U - Support 704, as illustrated in Figure 7c’. The system
102 may determine that the U - Support 704 will be manufactured using the sheet metal
operation, as the U - Support 704 has a uniform thickness and comprises 3 walls and 2 bend
features.
[055] Thereupon, the system 102 may identify the Pin 706 from its 3D representation, as
illustrated in Figure 7d. From the 3D representation, the system 102 may determine a 2D
representation of the Pin 706, as illustrated in Figure 7d’. The system 102 may determine that
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the Pin 706 will be manufactured using the turn operation, as the Pin 706 is axis symmetric
and has cylindrical faces.
[056] Finally, the system 102 may identify the Bracket 708 from its 3D representation, as
illustrated in Figure 7e. From the 3D representation, the system 102 may determine a 2D
representation of the Bracket 708, as illustrated in Figure 7e’. The system 102 may determine
that the Bracket 708 will be manufactured using the machining operation, as the Bracket 708
comprises holes, slots, and island features.
[057] In the above described manner, manufacturing process required to produce different
elements of a product could be automatically determined and operation of an entire
manufacturing assembly could be automated.
[058] Referring now to Figure 8, a method 800 for classifying elements of a product is
described, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method 800
may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally,
computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that perform particular functions or
implement particular abstract data types.
[059] The order in which the method 800 for classifying elements of a product is described
is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method
blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 800 or alternate methods.
Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 800 without departing from
the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be
implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However,
for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 800 may be
considered to be implemented in the above described system 102.
[060] At block 802, an assembly file including details of a product is opened in a 3D
modeller tool.
[061] At block 804, all the parts/ elements present in the product are identified and
segregated, and their details stored as different elements in a list.
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[062] At block 806, starting from beginning, all the elements present in the list are
traversed.
[063] At block 808, presence of sheet metal elements in the list is identified. In case, sheet
metal elements are identified, their details are forwarded to a sheet metal operation machine,
at block 810.
[064] At block 812, presence of turn elements in the list is identified. In case, turn elements
are identified, their details are forwarded to a turn operation machine, at block 814.
[065] At block 816, presence of injection moulding elements in the list is identified. In case,
injection moulding elements are identified, their details are forwarded to an injection
moulding operation machine, at block 818.
[066] At block 820, details of remaining elements are forwarded for machining operation.
[067] Thereupon, at block 806, it is determined if details of all the elements present in the
list is traversed. If details of all the elements are found to be traverse, the program ends.
[068] Although implementations for methods and systems for classifying elements of a
product have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to
be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or
methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of
implementations for classifying elements of a product.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for classifying elements of a product, the method comprising:
identifying one or more elements of the product; and
determining, using a feature recognition technique, features of the one or more
elements, wherein the features correspond to manufacturing operations required for
manufacturing of the one or more elements, and wherein the manufacturing
operations include at least one of sheet metal operations, turn operations, injection
moulding operations, and machining operations, and wherein the manufacturing
operations are determined in a priority order with the sheet metal operation having a
highest priority and the machining operation having a least priority.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more elements of the product
are identified from a three-dimensional representation of the product.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet metal operations include walls,
bends, cut-outs, flanges, and stamps.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turn operations include an external
end profile feature and an internal end profile feature.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the injection moulding operations
include ribs and boss.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machining operations include holes,
pockets, slots, and islands.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the holes are one of counter-bore holes,
counter-sunk holes, counter-drill holes, taper holes, and simple holes, the pockets are
blind pockets or through pockets, and the slots are blind slots or through slots.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feature recognition technique
operates on boundary representation models.
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9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein details of the features are stored for later
execution by different units of a manufacturing plant for manufacturing the product.
10. A system for classifying elements of a product, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores programmed
instructions executable by the processor for:
identifying one or more elements of the product; and
determining, using a feature recognition technique, features of the one or
more elements, wherein the features correspond to manufacturing operations
required for manufacturing the one or more elements, and wherein the
manufacturing operations include at least one of sheet metal operations, turn
operations, injection moulding operations, and machining operations, and
wherein the manufacturing operations are determined in a priority order with the
sheet metal operation having a highest priority and the machining operation
having a least priority