Methods for automated manufacturability analysis of injection-molded and die-cast parts
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In this article, a mathematical framework to automatically evaluate the manufacturability of injection-molded and die-cast parts is presented. The framework includes an implemented mathematical algorithm to solve key outstanding challenges in feature recognition for manufacturability analysis of injection-molded and die-cast parts. A novel feature recognition method is developed that is based on decomposing the part into elemental cubes and then, making use of their individual manufacturability, the manufacturability of the part as a whole is evaluated. This article discusses a procedure to obtain a 3D binary representation of the solid model and develops feature recognition techniques to extract critical manufacturability information from this 3D binary array. The outstanding challenges addressed by the method presented include the finding of parting surfaces, parting lines, undercuts, holes, bosses, and finding the direction of mold closure in the context of injection-molded or die-cast parts. The algorithm is implemented using a combination of C++ code and Unigraphics solid modeling software. A short example is presented. 2009 Springer-Verlag London Limited.
