Methods and apparatus for generating drawings from computer generated models

• US 7,050,960 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hamilton, Kevin Dennard, Hoelle, James Stephen, Jungeberg, Kenneth Alvin
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/728,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 707/22, 700/97, 700/182, 345/419, 345/420, 345/964, 345/619, 345/965, 715/502
• US Class Current: 703/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics

Abstract

A drafting system that automatically generates digital drawings from a computer generated model of a bracket is described. The drafting system includes a data storage device which stores information relevant to a plurality of users including a plurality of orthographic projection rules. After the computer generated model of the bracket is introduced to the system, a plurality of drawing functions generate weld information, dimensions, and cross references to parts lists that are assigned to the bracket. Additionally, a plurality of editing features enable the user to edit objects automatically inserted within the drawings by the drafting system.

Claims

1. A method for generating at least one digital drawing using a server system including a client system having a browser and a data storage device, the server system coupled to the client system and the data storage device, a plurality of orthographic rules and a computer generated model of a part stored in the data storage device and accessible by the server system, said method comprising the steps of:

generating a plurality of digital drawing views with the server system, such that the digital drawing views are based on the pre-stored orthographic projection rules;

utilizing an input device to select desired said drawing views;

utilizing a view module to compare non-selected said drawing views to the computer generated model to ensure that a necessary drawing view is not inadvertently deleted; and

editing the plurality of digital drawing views with the server system.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of generating a plurality of digital drawing views further comprises the steps of:

labeling dimensions on the plurality of drawing views produced; and

generating part cross references to a parts list based on the computer generated model.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said step of generating part cross references further comprises the step of applying the part cross references to the plurality of drawing views.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of editing the plurality of digital drawing views further comprises the steps of:

moving item balloons automatically created during generation of the digital drawing;

moving callouts automatically created during generation of the digital drawing; and

deleting extra callouts automatically created during generation of the digital drawing.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the computer model is two-dimensional, said step of generating a plurality of digital drawing views further comprises the step of generating a plurality of orthographic views representing the computer model.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of generating a plurality of digital drawing views further comprises the step of applying welding symbology to each of the plurality of drawing views produced.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein using a view module to compare non-selected said drawing views to the computer generated model to ensure that a necessary drawing view is not inadvertently deleted comprises the view module ensuring that a drawing view necessary to illustrate a spacer is not inadvertently deleted.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising determining that an oblique drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, notifying a user that an additional drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, and providing an option of adding an additional drawing view to the generated drawing views or displaying other drafting system function modules.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising utilizing a holes module to compare circular openings assigned coordinates against predetermined data to determine which openings are fastener openings and which are lightening holes.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising utilizing a slots module to compare diameters of slots to pre-determined values to determine which slots are lightening openings.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said predetermined values are selected in accordance with a type of bracket to be drawn.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising utilizing a weld module of the computer program to define the weld surface pairs in the computer-generated model of the part, and wherein the part is a bracket.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising utilizing the weld module to insert welds for spacers in the drawing views in ID balloons, and inserting clocking lines for welds and associated labels in a drawing view normal to the spacers.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 further comprising utilizing an ID balloons module to compare each sold pre-sorted in the data storage device to the generated drawings to define parts list items, and automatically labeling item balloons in generated views for each item defined except brackets, and labeling brackets in flat pattern views.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising utilizing a parts marking module to automatically label items within a main drawing view, except that labels not visible in the main drawing view are marked to indicate that a label is inserted on a far side of a bracket.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising utilizing a dimensions module to automatically label dimensions on the drawing views.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said automatic labeling of dimensions comprises labeling spacer thickness dimensions for a spacer in a drawing view looking normal to an axis of revolution for the spacer, and labeling reference lines in a drawing view looking normal to a plane of the spacer.

18. An apparatus for generating a digital drawing representation from a computer generated model of a bracket for a gas turbine engine, said apparatus comprising a processor programmed to generate a plurality of digital drawing views from the computer-generated model, said apparatus configured to input a selection of desired said drawing views selected by a user, and said processor programmed to compare non-selected said drawing views to the computer-generated model to ensure that a drawing view necessary to illustrate a spacer is not inadvertently omitted.

19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to apply orthographic projection rules to generate the plurality of digital drawing views based on the computer generated model.

20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to label dimensions on the plurality of drawing views produced based on the computer generated model.

21. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to generate part cross references to a parts list based on the computer generated model.

22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said processor further programmed to apply the part cross references to the plurality of drawing views.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to generate the plurality of digital drawing views from a two-dimensional computer generated model of a bracket.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to determine that an oblique drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, notify a user that an additional drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, and provide an option of adding an additional drawing view to the generated drawing views or displaying other drafting system function modules.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to compare circular openings assigned coordinates against predetermined data to determine which openings are fastener openings and which are lightening holes.

26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to compare diameters of slots to pre-determined values to determine which slots are lightening openings.

27. Apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein said predetermined values are selected in accordance with a type of bracket to be drawn.

28. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to define the weld sufface pairs in the computer-generated model of the part, and wherein the part is a bracket.

29. Apparatus in accordance with claim 28 wherein said processor further programmed to insert welds for spacers in the drawing views in ID balloons, and to insert clocking lines for welds and associated labels in a drawing view normal to the spacers.

30. Apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein said processor further programmed to compare each sold pre-sorted in the data storage device to the generated drawings to define parts list items, to automatically label item balloons in generated views for each item defined except brackets, and to label brackets in flat pattern views.

31. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to automatically label items within a main drawing view except labels not visible in the main drawing view, and to mark said labels not visible in the main drawing view to indicate that a label is inserted on a far side of a bracket.

32. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said processor further programmed to automatically label dimensions on the drawing views.

33. Apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein to automatically labeling dimensions, said processor further programmed to label spacer thickness dimensions for a spacer in a drawing view looking normal to an axis of revolution for the spacer, and to label reference lines in a drawing view looking normal to a plane of the spacer.

34. A system for generating a digital drawing of a computer generated model of a part, wherein said part is a computer-generated model of a bracket for a gas turbine engine, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a data storage device for storing information relevant to a plurality of users; and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said data storage device, said server system further configured to generate a plurality of digital drawing views based on the computer-generated model, said server system configured to input a selection of desired said drawing views selected by a user, and said processor programmed to compare non-selected said drawing views to the computer-generated model to ensure that a drawing view necessary to illustrate a spacer is not inadvertently omitted.

35. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said server system configured to apply orthographic rules to generate the plurality of digital drawing views.

36. A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein said server system further configured to generate label dimensions on the plurality of drawing views produced.

37. A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein said server system further configured to generate part cross references to a parts list based on the computer generated model.

38. A system in accordance with claim 37 wherein said server system further configured to apply the part cross references to the plurality of drawing views.

39. A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein said server system further configured to generate the plurality of digital drawing views from a two-dimensional computer generated model of a bracket.

40. A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein said server system further configured to include welding symbology on each of the plurality of drawing views produced.

41. A system in accordance with claim 35 wherein the computer generated model represents a gas turbine engine sheet metal bracket, said server system further configured to generate orthographic drawing views representing the computer generated model.

42. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to determine that an oblique drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, notify a user that an additional drawing view is required for a spacer to be seen, and provide an option of adding an additional drawing view to the generated drawing views or displaying other drafting system function modules.

43. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to compare circular openings assigned coordinates against predetermined data to determine which openings are fastener openings and which are lightening holes.

44. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to compare diameters of slots to pre-determined values to determine which slots are lightening openings.

45. A system in accordance with claim 44 wherein said predetermined values are selected in accordance with a type of bracket to be drawn.

46. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to define the weld surface pairs in the computer-generated model of the part, and wherein the part is a bracket.

47. A system in accordance with claim 46 wherein said processor further programmed to insert welds for spacers in the drawing views in ID balloons, and to insert clocking lines for welds and associated labels in a drawing view normal to the spacers.

48. A system in accordance with claim 47 wherein said processor further programmed to compare each sold pre-sorted in the data storage device to the generated drawings to define parts list items, to automatically label item balloons in generated views for each item defined except brackets, and to label brackets in flat pattern views.

49. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to automatically label items within a main drawing view except labels not visible in the main drawing view, and to mark said labels not visible in the main drawing view to indicate that a label is inserted on a far side of a bracket.

50. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said processor further programmed to automatically label dimensions on the drawing views.

51. A system in accordance with claim 50 wherein to automatically labeling dimensions, said processor further programmed to label spacer thickness dimensions for a spacer in a drawing view looking normal to an axis of revolution for the spacer, and to label reference lines in a drawing view looking normal to a plane of the spacer.