Automatic defeaturing of CAD geometries for simulation of complex systems

工程师使用的计算机模型的几何形状可以非常详细，特别是如果它们已经准备好制造的话。产品级几何图形可以包含间隙、干涉、紧固件和非常小的特征。这些特征对于制造通常是必要的，但可能会为仿真增加不必要的复杂性。这些细节的存在可能会增加模拟的计算时间，而不会在预测准确性方面为工程师提供任何好处。因此，模拟工程师从生产级几何图形中删除特征，这一过程称为失败。此项目的目的是研究是否可以使用计算机算法自动执行失败操作。其目标是(I)研究用于表示和存储计算机模型的方法、它们的模拟参数和它们的特征；(Ii)开发用于失败的自动决策的算法，并将其作为新的工程软件来实施；以及(Iii)评估使用选定的案例研究开发的工具。学生将开发一个用于实验适当的计算机算法的计算环境。这将涉及实施模拟工作流程，以支持选定的案例研究。然后，学生将研究特征和模拟参数表示，定义特征分类，以指导失败算法的开发。这项工作将涉及将几何特征与仿真环境相联系。将开发一个决策工具，根据模拟环境将失败算法应用于几何图形。将对一系列计算机算法进行测试和比较。将通过与工业界专家进行接触来评估其感知的有效性。总而言之，该项目旨在提供一个上下文感知的失败系统，将提高工程设计的生产率。EPSRC研究领域：-工程设计-几何和拓扑-图形和可视化

The geometry of computer models used by engineers can be very detailed, especially if they are ready for manufacturing. Production-level geometry can contain gaps, interferences, fasteners, and very small features. These features are often necessary for manufacturing, but can add unnecessary complexity for simulation. The presence of such details can drive up the computational time of simulation, without providing any benefit to the engineer in terms of accuracy of prediction. Therefore, simulation engineers remove features from production-level geometry, a process referred to as defeaturing. Defeaturing is typically carried out manually as it requires specialist knowledge.The aim of this project is to investigate whether defeaturing can be carried out automatically using computer algorithms. The objectives are to (i) investigate methods used to represent and store computer models, their simulation parameters, and their features; (ii) develop algorithms for automated decision-making for defeaturing and implement them as new engineering software and (iii) evaluate the tools developed using selected case studies. The student will develop a computing environment for experimenting with appropriate computer algorithms. This will involve implementing simulation workflows to support the selected case studies. The student will then investigate feature and simulation parameter representation, defining a feature taxonomy that can inform the development of algorithms for defeaturing. The work will involve linking geometric features to simulation contexts. A decision-making tool will be developed that will apply defeaturing algorithms to geometries according to simulation context. A range of computer algorithms will be tested and compared. An assessment of their perceived effectiveness will be obtained by engaging with experts in industry. In summary, the project aims to deliver a context-aware defeaturing system that will improve productivity in engineering design.EPSRC research areas:- Engineering design- Geometry and topology- Graphics and visualization