Apparatus and method for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a sheet metal production facility

• US 5,971,589 A
• Filed: 07/31/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Amadasoft America, Inc.
• Inventors: Sakai, Satoshi, Hazama, Kensuke, Kask, Kalev, Schwalb, Moshe
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US08/700,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 364/468.01, 364/468.03, 364/468.04, 364/468.24, 364/468.25, 364/472.01, 364/474.07, 364/474.24, 364/512, 345/419, 345/420, 345/158
• US Class Current: 700/145
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4097 characterised by using design data to control NC machines, e.g. CAD/CAM G05B19/4093 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4181 characterised by direct numerical control [DNC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30136 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2021 Shape modification
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/41 based on statistical description of texture
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/426 Graphical representations
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/06 Recognition of objects for industrial automation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

A system and method are provided for developing a bend model of a part to be produced at an intelligent production facility. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed system and method, faces of the part are detected based on initial part information, and bendlines of the part are identified based on the detected faces of the part. Further, additional part information is generated by performing a predetermined operation (e.g., a folding operation or an unfolding operation) on the detected faces of the part. The disclosed system and method also include other capabilities, such as the capability to perform clean-up operations on initial, 2-D part information and to selectively eliminate part thickness representations in order to facilitate the preparation of a 3-D representation of the part from the modified 2-D part information.

Claims

1. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces, each face being defined in a single plane, and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space comprises coordinate data.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said part comprises a sheet metal part.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a system for detecting additional features of said part, said predetermined operation being performed on said additional features of said part.

6. A system according to claim 5, said additional features comprising holes, openings and special formings of said part.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said initial part information comprises data relating to a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space.

8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising a system for eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representing of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said bendline identification system comprises a system for detecting common edges between said faces detected by said face detecting system, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one bendline is identified and defined at said one common edge detected between said faces.

11. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a generating system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising a folding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system.

12. A system according to claim 11, said folding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting system relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said initial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said folding operation being performed based on said bend angle amount.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said folding operation comprises rotating and translating each of said faces around at least one bendline of said part based on said bend angle amount.

15. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system,

said unfolding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting system relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system.

16. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system, said unfolding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting system relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system

wherein said initial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said unfolding operation being performed based on said bend angle amount.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said unfolding operation comprises rotating and translating each of said faces around at least one bendline of said part based on said bend angle amount.

18. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space comprises vector data.

19. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said faces comprise base surfaces of said part and folded surfaces of said part.

20. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space, said initial part information comprising data relating to a representation of said part in a 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system;

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system; and

a system for eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness,

wherein said face detecting system detects said faces of said part based on said modified part data and said representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system.

22. A system according to claim 21, said unfolding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting system relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline indentification system.

23. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a generating system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

said system further comprising an auto-trimming and cleanup system for performing an auto-trimming and cleanup operation on said data relating to said initial part information to prepare said data for said face detecting system and said bendline identification system.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said data comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities and bendline entities of said part, said auto-trimming and cleanup system comprising a system for detecting intersection points of said entities and for selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, and a system for assigning the resultant broken entities to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said data comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said auto-trimming and cleanup system comprising a system for detecting open intersection areas between adjacent entities and for selectively connecting said adjacent entities by assigning a common endpoint to said adjacent entities.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein an open intersection area is detected, by said system for detecting open intersection areas, if the endpoints of said adjacent entities are within a predetermined distance from one another.

27. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said data relating to said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said face detecting system performing a loop and entity analysis of said part based on said part entity data to detect said faces of said part.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said loop and entity analysis is initially performed on an outside boundary of said part and then performed on inner boundaries and areas of said part.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said face detecting system generates an initial linked list of entities when performing said loop and entity analysis on the outside boundary of said part, said initial linked list of entities defining an outward loop and boundary of said part.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said face detecting system further generates an additional linked list of entities when performing said loop and entity analysis on the inside boundaries and areas of said part, said additional linked list of entities defining inner loops and boundaries of said part.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein said face detecting system further comprises a system for generating a loop tree based on said outward loop defined by said initial linked list of entities and said inner loops defined by said additional linked list of entities.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein said face detecting system detects said faces of said part based on said loop tree and the sequence of boundaries defined by said initial linked list entities and said additional linked list of entities.

33. A system according to claim 30, wherein said bendline identification system comprises a system for analyzing said initial linked list of entities and said additional linked list of entities to determine common line entities between said faces detected by said face detecting system.

34. A system according to claim 33, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common line entity with another one of said faces.

35. A system according to claim 34, wherein said at least one bendline is identified and defined at said one common line entity detected between said faces.

36. A system according to claim 34, wherein said bendline identification system applies predetermined heuristics to identify bendlines of said part when said system for determining common line entities detects that there are more than one common line entity between said faces.

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part such that a minimum number of total bendlines are identified for said part.

38. A system according to claim 36, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part, when one of said faces have more than one common line entity with another one of said faces, based on the common line entity that has the longest length.

39. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

wherein said bendline identification system comprises a system for detecting common edges between said faces detected by said face detecting system, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces, and

wherein said bendline identification system applies predetermined heuristics to identify bendlines of said part when said system for detecting common edges detects that there are more than one common edge between said faces.

40. A system according to claim 39, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part such that a minimum number of total bendlines are identified for said part.

41. A system according to claim 39, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part, when one of said faces have more than one common edge with another one of said faces, based on the common edge that has the longest length.

42. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

a face detecting system for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

a bendline identification system for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting system; and

a generating system for generating additional part information, relating to said part and including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said face detecting system, said operation being performed based upon at least said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification system,

said system further comprising a system for receiving a deduction amount related to said part and a system for compensating for bend deduction, when performing said predetermined operation on said faces, based on said deduction amount.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein said predetermined operation comprises a folding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system, said system for compensating for bend deduction increasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when performing said folding operation.

44. A system according to claim 42, wherein said predetermined operation comprises an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting system, said system for compensating for bend deduction decreasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when performing said unfolding operation.

45. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces, each face being defined in a single plane, and at least one bendline, said method comprising:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said method further comprising performing an unfolding operation on said faces detected by said detecting.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein said intial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said unfolding operating being performed based on said bend angle amount.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said unfolding operation comprises rotating and translating each of said faces around at least one bendline of said part based on said bend angle amount.

49. A method according to claim 45, further comprising detecting additional features of said part, said predetermined operation being performed on said additional features of said part.

50. A method according to claim 49, said additional features comprising holes, openings and special formings of said part.

51. A method according to claim 45, wherein said initial part information comprises data relating to a representation of said part in a 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space.

52. A method according to claim 51, further comprising eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

53. A method according to claim 45, wherein said identifying said at least one bendline comprises detecting common edges between said faces detected by said detecting, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces.

54. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space, said method further comprising performing a folding operation on said faces detected by said detecting.

55. A method according to claim 54, said folding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces relative to at least on bendline identified by said identifying.

56. A method according to claim 54, wherein said intial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said folding operation being performed based on said bend angle amount.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein said folding operation comprises rotating and translating each of said faces around at least one bendline of said part based on said bend angle amount.

58. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting;

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying; and

performing an unfolding operation on said faces detected by said detecting, said unfolding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces relative to at least one bendline identified by said identifying

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space.

59. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting;

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying, said initial part information comprising data relating to a representation of said part in a 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space; and

eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness,

wherein said detecting said faces of said part is adapted to be performed based on said modified part data and said representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said method further comprising performing an unfolding operation on said faces detected by said detecting.

61. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying,

said method further comprising performing an auto-trimming and cleanup operation on said data of said initial part information before detecting said faces and identifying said at least one bendline.

62. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying,

wherein said data of said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said detecting of said faces comprising performing a loop and entity analysis of said part based on said part entity data to detect said faces of said part.

63. A method according to claim 62, wherein said loop and entity analysis is initially performed on an outside boundary of said part and then performed on inner boundaries and areas of said part.

64. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying,

wherein said identifying at least one bendline comprises detecting common edges between said faces detected by said detecting, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces,

wherein said identifying at least one bendline further comprises applying predetermined heuristics to identify bendlines of said part when more than one common edge between said faces is detected.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part such that a minimum number of total bendlines are identified for said part.

66. A method according to claim 64, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part, when one of said faces have more than one common edge with another one of said faces, based on the common edge that has the longest length.

67. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said detecting; and

generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on each of said faces detected by said detecting, said operation being performed based upon said initial part information and at least one bendline identified by said identifying,

said method further comprising receiving a deduction amount related to said part and compensating for bend deduction, when performing said predetermined operation on said faces, based on said deduction amount.

68. A method according to claim 67, further comprising performing a folding operation on said faces, said compensating for bend deduction comprising increasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when said folding operation is performed.

69. A method according to claim 67, further comprising performing an unfolding operation on said faces, said compensating for bend deduction comprising decreasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when said unfolding operation is performed.

70. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces, each face being defined in a single plane and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means.

71. A system according to claim 70, wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means.

72. A system according to claim 70, further comprising means for detecting additional features of said part, said predetermined operation being performed on said additional features of said part.

73. A system according to claim 72, said additional features comprising holes, openings and special formings of said part.

74. A system according to claim 70, wherein said initial part information comprises data relating to a representation of said part in a 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space.

75. A system according to claim 74, further comprising means for eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

76. A system according to claim 70, wherein said bendline identification means comprises means for detecting common edges between said faces detected by said face detecting means, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces.

77. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising a folding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means.

78. A system according to claim 77, said folding operation including rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting means relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification means.

79. A system according to claim 77, wherein said initial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said folding operation being performed based on said bend angle amount.

80. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, and said predetermined operation comprises an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means, and

further wherein said unfolding operation includes rotating and translating each of said faces detected by said face detecting means relative to at least one bendline identified by said bendline identification means.

81. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate spaces, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

wherein said first predetermined coordinate space comprises a 3-D coordinate space and said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means,

wherein said initial part information further comprises a bend angle amount relating to at least one bendline of said part, said unfolding operation being performed based on said bend angle amount.

82. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space, said initial part information comprising data relating to a representation of said part in a 3-D coordinate space, said data including thickness data of said part in said 3-D coordinate space,

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means;

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means; and

means for eliminating said thickness data to provide modified part data relating to a representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness,

wherein said face detecting means detects said faces of said part based on said modified part data and said representation of said part in said 3-D coordinate space with no thickness.

83. A system according to claim 82, wherein said second predetermined coordinate space comprises a 2-D coordinate space, said predetermined operation comprising an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means.

84. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

said system further comprising auto-trimming and cleanup means for performing an auto-trimming and cleanup operation on said data relating to said initial part information to prepare said data for said face detecting means and said bendline identification means.

85. A system according to claim 84, wherein said data comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities and bendline entities of said part, said auto-trimming and cleanup means comprising means for detecting intersection points of said entities and for selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, and means for assigning the resultant broken entities to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

86. A system according to claim 84, wherein said data comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said auto-trimming and cleanup means comprising means for detecting open intersection areas between adjacent entities and for selectively connecting said adjacent entities by assigning a common endpoint to said adjacent entities.

87. A system according to claim 86, wherein an open intersection area is detected, by said means for detecting open intersection areas, if the endpoints of said adjacent entities are within a predetermined distance from one another.

88. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

wherein said data relating to said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said face detecting means performing a loop and entity analysis of said part based on said part entity data to detect said faces of said part.

89. A system according to claim 88, wherein said loop and entity analysis is initially performed on an outside boundary of said part and then performed on inner boundaries and areas of said part.

90. A system according to claim 89, wherein said face detecting means generates an initial linked list of entities when performing said loop and entity analysis on the outside boundary of said part, said initial linked list of entities defining an outward loop and boundary of said part.

91. A system according to claim 90, wherein said face detecting means further generates an additional linked list of entities when performing said loop and entity analysis on the inside boundaries and areas of said part, said additional linked list of entities defining inner loops and boundaries of said part.

92. A system according to claim 91, wherein said face detecting means further comprises means for generating a loop tree based on said outward loop defined by said initial linked list of entities and said inner loops defined by said additional linked list of entities.

93. A system according to claim 92, wherein said face detecting means detects said faces of said part based on said loop tree and the sequence of boundaries defined by said initial linked list entities and said additional linked list of entities.

94. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means, and

wherein said bendline identification means comprises means for detecting common edges between said faces detected by said face detecting means, said at least one bendline being identified based on the detection of one of said faces having only one common edge with another one of said faces

wherein said bendline identification means applies predetermined heuristics to identify bendlines of said part when said means for detecting common edges detects that there are more than one common edge between said faces.

95. A system according to claim 94, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part such that a minimum number of total bendlines are identified for said part.

96. A system according to claim 94, wherein said heuristics comprise identifying bendlines of said part, when one of said faces have more than one common edge with another one of said faces, based on the common edge that has the longest length.

97. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in a production facility, said part including a plurality of faces and at least one bendline, said system comprising:

means for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information including data relating to a representation of said part within a first predetermined coordinate space;

means for detecting, within said first predetermined coordinate space, said faces of said part based on said initial part information;

means for identifying at least one bendline of said part based on said faces detected by said face detecting means; and

means for generating additional part information, including data relating to a representation of said part within a second predetermined coordinate space, by performing a predetermined operation on said faces detected by said detecting means, said predetermined operation being performed based on, at least in part, said bendline identified by said bendline determining means,

said system further comprising means for receiving a deduction amount related to said part and means for compensating for bend deduction, when performing said predetermined operation on said faces, based on said deduction amount.

98. A system according to claim 97, wherein said predetermined operation comprises a folding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means, said means for compensating for bend deduction increasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when performing said folding operation.

99. A system according to claim 97, wherein said predetermined operation comprises an unfolding operation performed on said faces detected by said face detecting means, said means for compensating for bend deduction decreasing a dimensional length of said faces by one half of said deduction amount on each side of said bendline of said part when performing said unfolding operation.

100. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part, said initial part information further comprising extraneous information;

a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations;

a part thickness elimination system for selectively eliminating said part thickness representations in each of said identified representations to provide modified representations of said views of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness.

101. A system according to claim 100, wherein said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said cleanup operation system comprising a break and trimming system for detecting intersection points of said entities and for selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, said break and trimming system assigning the resultant broken entities to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

102. A system according to claim 101, said break and trimming system further comprising a system for detecting open intersection areas between adjacent entities and for selectively connecting said adjacent entities by assigning a common endpoint to said adjacent entities.

103. A system according to claim 102, wherein an open intersection area is detected, by said system for detecting open intersection areas, if the endpoints of said adjacent entities are within a predetermined distance from one another.

104. A system according to claim 100, wherein said cleanup operation system comprises a system for developing a connectivity graph structure based on said initial part information, said cleanup operation system eliminating said extraneous information based on said connectivity graph structure.

105. A system according to claim 104, wherein said extraneous information comprises unconnected line entities, said unconnected line entities relating to, at least, dimension lines.

106. A system according to claim 100, wherein said initial part information comprises type field data for identifying part entity data and extraneous information relating to text, said cleanup operation system eliminating said extraneous information relating to text based on said type field data.

107. A system according to claim 100, wherein said plurality of views comprise a top view, a front view, and a right side view of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

108. A system according to claim 107, wherein said cleanup operation system comprises a system for detecting, based on said initial part information, said representations of said top view, said front view, and said right side view of said part.

109. A system according to claim 100, wherein said part comprises a sheet metal part.

110. A system according to claim 100, wherein said part thickness elimination system comprises a system for prompting a user to identify said part thickness representations to be eliminated in each of said plurality of views and to identify a dimension of said part to be retained in each of said plurality of views.

111. A system according to claim 110, wherein said dimension of said part comprises one of an outside dimension or an inside dimension of said part.

112. A system according to claim 100, wherein said developing system comprises a system for performing a projection operation to develop said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

113. A system according to claim 112, wherein said projection operation comprises detecting the relative depths of each of said plurality of views and projecting each of said plurality of views into 3-D coordinate space.

114. A method for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising the steps of:

receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part;

performing a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate extraneous information and to identify each of said representations;

selectively eliminating said part thickness representations in each of said identified representations to provide modified representations of said views of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness; and

developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness.

115. A method according to claim 114, wherein said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said performing comprising detecting intersection points of said entities and selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, said resultant broken entities being assigned to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

116. A method according to claim 114, said performing comprising detecting open intersection areas between adjacent entities and selectively connecting said adjacent entities by assigning a common endpoint to said adjacent entities.

117. A method according to claim 116, wherein an open intersection area is detected, by said step of detecting open intersection areas, if the endpoints of said adjacent entities are within a predetermined distance from one another.

118. A method according to claim 114, said performing comprising developing a connectivity graph structure based on said initial part information and eliminating said extraneous information based on said connectivity graph structure.

119. A method according to claim 118, wherein said extraneous information comprises unconnected line entities, said unconnected line entities relating to, at least, dimension lines.

120. A method according to claim 114, wherein said initial part information comprises type field data for identifying part entity data and extraneous information relating to text, said performing eliminating said extraneous information relating to text based on said type field data.

121. A method according to claim 114, wherein said plurality of views comprise a top view, a front view, and a right side view of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

122. A method according to claim 121, wherein said performing comprises detecting, based on said initial part information, said representations of said top view, said front view, and said right side view of said part.

123. A method according to claim 114, wherein said part comprises a sheet metal part.

124. A method according to claim 114, wherein said selectively eliminating said part thickness comprises prompting a user to identify said part thickness representations to be eliminated in each of said plurality of views and to identify a dimension of said part to be retained in each of said plurality of views.

125. A method according to claim 124, wherein said dimension of said part comprises one of an outside dimension or an inside dimension of said part.

126. A method according to claim 114, wherein said developing comprises performing a projection operation to develop said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

127. A method according to claim 126, wherein said projection operation comprises detecting the relative depths of each of said plurality of views and projecting each of said plurality of views into 3-D coordinate space.

128. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part, said initial part information further comprising extraneous information;

a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said identified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

129. A system according to claim 128, wherein said initial part information comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said cleanup operation system comprising a break and trimming system for detecting intersection points of said entities and for selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, said break and trimming system assigning the resultant broken entities to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

130. A system according to claim 129, said break and trimming system further comprising a system for detecting open intersection areas between adjacent entities and for selectively connecting said adjacent entities by assigning a common endpoint to said adjacent entities.

131. A system according to claim 130, wherein an open intersection area is detected, by said system for detecting open intersection areas, if the endpoints of said adjacent entities are within a predetermined distance from one another.

132. A system according to claim 128, wherein said part comprises a sheet metal part.

133. A system according to claim 128, wherein said developing system comprises a system for performing a projection operation to develop said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said identified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

134. A system according to claim 133, wherein said projection operation comprises detecting the relative depths of each of said plurality of views and projecting each of said plurality of views into 3-D coordinate space.

135. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part, said initial part information further comprising extraneous information;

a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said identified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space,

wherein said plurality of views comprise a top view, a front view, and a right side view of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

136. A system according to claim 135, wherein said cleanup operation system comprises a system for detecting, based on said initial part information, said representations of said top view, said front view, and said right side view of said part.

137. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part, said initial part information further comprising extraneous information;

a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said identified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space,

said system further comprising a part thickness elimination system for selectively eliminating said part thickness representations in each of said identified representations to provide modified representations of said views of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness, said developing system being adapted to develop said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on each of said identified representations of said part.

138. A system according to claim 137, wherein said part thickness elimination system comprises a system for prompting a user to identify said part thickness representations to be eliminated in each of said plurality of views and to identify a dimension of said part to be retained in each of said plurality of views.

139. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part, said initial part information further comprising extraneous information;

a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said identified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space,

said system further comprising a system for performing a 3-D clean-up operation on said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space to further clean-up and eliminate extraneous information in said representation of said part.

140. A system according to claim 139, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for identifying and eliminating one sided open lines that are present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.

141. A system according to claim 139, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for identifying and cleaning each bendline that is present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.

142. A system according to claim 139, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for trimming each face that is present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.

143. A system for developing a bend model of a part to be produced in an intelligent production facility, said system comprising:

a receiving system for receiving initial part information relating to said part, said initial part information comprising respective representations of a plurality of views said part in 2-D coordinate space, each of said representations including part thickness representations of said part;

a part thickness elimination system for selectively eliminating said part thickness representations in each of said representations to provide modified representations of said views of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness; and

a system for developing a representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space with no thickness.

144. A system according to claim 143, wherein said initial part information further comprises extraneous information, said system further comprising a cleanup operation system that performs a 2-D cleanup operation on said initial part information to eliminate said extraneous information and to identify each of said representations.

145. A system according to claim 144, wherein said initial part information further comprises part entity data representing, at least, line entities of said part, said cleanup operation system comprising a break and trimming system for detecting intersection points of said entities and for selectively breaking said entities at detected intersection points, said break and trimming system assigning the resultant broken entities to have a common endpoint based on said detected intersection points.

146. A system according to claim 143, wherein said developing system comprises a system for performing a projection operation to develop said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space based on said modified representations of said part in 2-D coordinate space.

147. A system according to claim 146, wherein said projection operation comprises detecting the relative depths of each of said plurality of views and projecting each of said plurality of views into 3-D coordinate space.

148. A system according to claim 143, wherein said part thickness elimination system comprises a system for prompting a user to identify said part thickness representations to be eliminated in each of said plurality of views and to identify a dimension of said part to be retained in each of said plurality of views.

149. A system according to claim 143, further comprising a system for performing a 3-D clean-up operation on said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space to further clean-up and eliminate extraneous information in said representation of said part.

150. A system according to claim 149, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for identifying and eliminating one sided open lines that are present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.

151. A system according to claim 149, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for identifying and cleaning each bendline that is present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.

152. A system according to claim 149, wherein said 3-D clean-up operation includes a process for trimming each face that is present in said representation of said part in 3-D coordinate space.