Method and apparatus for composite part data extraction

• US 8,442,804 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kessel, Jamie A., Fisher, Phillip J., Shirron, Paul J., Mullins, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernandez, Omar
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEBRESILASSIE, KIBROM K
• Application Number:
  US12/192,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 703/1, 703/6, 703/7, 703/8
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/10 using patches sealing on the surface of the article B29C73/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/008 Cut plane or projection plane definition

Abstract

A computer implemented method for generating a section cut in a model of a part. A location on the part is identified. An axis system is created at the location in the model of the part, wherein the axis system has an axis that is normal to a surface at the location in the model of the part. Section cuts intersecting the surface and plies below the surface are created. A plurality of sampling points on the surface is identified based on the section cuts. Core sampling is preformed using the plurality of sampling points to generate sampled data.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for generating a section cut in a model of a part, the computer implemented method comprising:

identifying, using at least one processor, a location on the part from an object of the part;

extracting, using the at least one processor, ply lay-up data for a section of the part within the model, the extracting comprising;

creating an axis system at the location in the model of the part, wherein the axis system has an axis that is normal to a surface at the location in the model of the part;

creating section cuts intersecting the surface and plies below the surface, wherein creating section cuts further comprises;

intersecting a base surface supporting the plies with a plane;

obtaining first coordinates by performing a first linear approximation of the base surface and plane intersection;

identifying a ply from the ply lay-up data that is intersected by the plane; and

obtaining second coordinates by performing a second linear approximation of the ply and plane intersection;

identifying a plurality of sampling points on the surface based on the section cuts; and

generating sampled data by performing core sampling using the plurality of sampling points;

generating, using the at least one processor, an output file from the sampled data.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the creating the axis system comprises:

creating a damage axis at the location in the model of the part, wherein the damage axis is normal to the surface of the part at the location in the model of the part.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the section cuts and the axis system in the model of the part.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the plurality of sampling points in a plurality of files; and

creating a master file identifying the plurality of files.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4, further comprising:

selecting a file from the plurality of files using the master file to form a selected file;

performing the core sampling of a point identified in the selected file, wherein information about a set of plies associated with the point is identified; and

storing the information in the sampled data.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

repeating the selecting step, the performing step, and the storing step until all of the plurality of files have been processed.

7. The method of claim 1 further wherein the first coordinates are relative to the plane, and further comprising the step of converting the first coordinates to another coordinate system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying in a part application a location on the part comprises the steps of:

displaying a three-dimensional object; and

selecting the location on the three-dimensional object.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of displaying the three-dimensional object further comprises excluding information selected from trade secret information and export-controlled information.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising manipulating the three-dimensional object.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a data processing system comprising a bus, a processor, and a memory, wherein a data extraction tool executes on the data processing system, wherein the data extraction tool is configured to;

receive a location on a part;

create an axis system at the location in a model of the part, wherein the axis system has an axis that is normal to a surface at the location in the model of the part;

create section cuts intersecting the surface and plies below the surface, wherein creating section cuts further comprises;

intersecting a base surface supporting the plies with a plane;

obtain first coordinates by performing a first linear approximation of the base surface and plane intersection;

identify a ply from ply lay-up data, wherein the ply is intersected by the plane; and

obtain second coordinates by performing a second linear approximation of the ply and plane intersection;

identify a plurality of sampling points on the surface based on the section cuts; and

generating sampled data by performing core sampling using the plurality of sampling points.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the data extraction tool is capable of generating an output file from the sampled data.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the axis system has a damage axis that is normal to the surface of the part at the location in the model of the part.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the data extraction tool is further capable of storing the section cuts and the axis system in the model of the part.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the data extraction tool is further capable of storing the plurality of sampling points in a plurality files, and creating a master file identifying the plurality of files.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein in performing the core sampling using the plurality of sampling points to generate the sampled data, the data extraction tool is capable of selecting a file from the plurality of files using the master file to form a selected file;

performing the core sampling of a point identified in the selected file, wherein information about a set of plies associated with the point is identified; and

storing the information in the sampled data.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the data extraction tool comprises:

a core identification unit;

a surface generation unit;

a core sampling unit; and

an output generation unit.

18. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program code which, when executed by at least one processor, is configured to display on a display a three-dimensional object of a part and to identify a location on the three-dimensional object of the part, the program code comprising:

program code configured to extract ply lay-up data for a section of the part within a model of the part, the program code that is configured to extract further comprising;

program sub-code configured to create an axis system at the location in the model of the part, wherein the axis system has an axis that is normal to a surface at the location in the model of the part;

program sub-code configured to create section cuts intersecting the surface and plies below the surface, wherein creating section cuts further comprises;

intersecting a base surface supporting the plies with a plane;

obtaining first coordinates by performing a linear approximation of the base surface and plane intersection;

identifying a ply from the ply lay-up data that is intersected by the plane; and

obtaining second coordinates by performing a second linear approximation of the ply and plane intersection; and

program sub-code configured to identify a plurality of sampling points on the surface based on the section cuts; and

program code configured to generate sampled data by performing core sampling using the plurality of sampling points.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18,

wherein the program code further comprises program code for generating an output file from the sampled data.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for creating the axis system with a damage axis that is normal to the surface of the part at the location in the model of the part.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for storing the section cuts and the axis system in the model of the part.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for storing the plurality of sampling points in a plurality of files; and

program code for creating a master file identifying the plurality of files.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for selecting a file from the plurality of files using the master file to form a selected file;

program code for performing the core sampling of a point identified in the selected file, wherein information about a set of plies associated with the point is identified; and

program code for storing the information in the sampled data.