ISSN:
1435-5663
Keywords:
Keywords:Design validation; Free-space modelling; Plant layout; Virtual reality
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Computer Science
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Technology
Notes:
Complex mechanical arrangements involve a large number of constraints referring to either properties of individual components (of the arrangement) or relationships between components. Current practices approximate these constraints with simplified ‘dimensional constraints’ aiming at formulating a system of (in)equalities to be solved automatically by a ‘geometric constraint solver’. This paper identifies limitations in this approach, leading to inaccurate descriptions of problems that disallow development of a collaborative engineering environment. Our work focuses on complex plants and their conformity with operational constraints for performing, e.g. maintenance, repair and emergency operations. Current Virtual Reality techniques cannot solve this problem as, at best, they only significantly enhance visual perception of 3D plant models. A detailed analysis of required ‘free-spaces’ is presented on the basis of industrial data. The concept of ‘virtual solid’ is proposed for modeling free-spaces and related geometric modelling techniques are derived. An ‘extended product model’ is presented, also accommodating nongeometric properties of free-spaces, and thus leading to informationally-complete descriptions of plant-layout problems. Finally, an implementation in the AutoCAD environment is presented accompanied by realistic examples.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/PL00013713
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