Rule-based color coding for 3D

Models

Agenda

• Introduction

• Motivation for tolerance annotation within a 3D model

– Current challenges

• Alternate techniques

– Color coding

• Examples

– General tolerances

– Injection mold tools

• Summary and future

E-Mail jan@buw-soft.de

Telefon +49 9131 – 53387 02

Adresse Weisse Herzstr. 2a

D-91054 Erlangen

1989 Studies of Mechanical

engineering, Erlangen

1994 Design support and CAD

administration at Braun

GmbH, Kronberg

2014 CEO at B&W Software

GmbH, Erlangen

Jan Stothfang

B&W Software GmbH

• Add-ons for 3D CAD System

PTC Creo Parametric

• Since 1997 at Erlangen

• 13 employees

• Development partner from PTC

• 10+ Standard Software Products

• 40+ Resellers worldwide

• 200+ Customer projects

Motivation

• On the roadmap to IoT or Industry 4.0‚Model-Based-

Definition‘ (MBD) is an essential requirement.

– Transfer of Product Manufacturing Information (PMI)

into 3D Model

– Semantic (machine readable) definition of surface properties and

permitted manufacturing tolerances

• Traditional 2D-drawing is a show stopper when trying to

unlock automation potential.

Realization - Objective

• Transfer from 2D drawing information into 3D model– Geometry and geometry referencing information

– Unrelated informationen

– Version history and process informationen

– Trend to GD&T (ISO GPS system) instead of 2-point dimensions

Notes

Attributs

GD&T

Dimensions

Symbols

Datums

NotesSurface Finish

Tables

Tolerance information in 3D model

• Challenges while displaying and communicating GD&T

within the 3D model

– Clarity in complex models

– Manual selection and placement process

– Type of consumption

• Presentation – Representation

– Human expertise

– Data transfer through interfaces

Requirements

• Tolerance information

– Directly tied to respective surface

– Without any offset ‚symbols‘ related to geometry

– Application in a rule-based or automated manner

– Machine and human readable and understandable

Alternate Approach

• Color coding

– Direct at surface

– RGB values machine readable

– Assoziative legend information

– Useful for surface profile tolerance, position tolerance and

surface properties.

Realization - Objective

• Transfer from 2D drawing information into 3D model

Notes

Attributs

GD&T

Dimensions

Symbols

Datums

NotesSurface Finish

Tables

Example General tolerances

• ISO 20457:2018 for plastic parts

Example General tolerances

• Calculation of tolerance grade

Pg = P1+P2+P3+P4+P5

• Definition of tolerance value

• Surface profile tolerance– By table 9

• Position tolerance– By table 10

Example General tolerances

Example General tolerances

• Finding the Dp ‘dimension’

– ‘The furthest distance of the toleranced element to the origin of

the datum system used for the position tolerance or profile form

(Dp) shall be applied to determine the tolerance.’

Example General tolerances

• Visualization in 3D model

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Beispiel Allgemeintoleranzen

Example Injection Mold Plate

• Color palette from VDWF (The Association of German

Tool and Moldmakers)

Example Injection Mold Plate

• Preparing and using the color table within rules

– Rule-based / automatic application of colors and legend

– Manufacturing according to color coding

Assessment of the approach

• Benefits of color coding

– Very easy visualization for humans

– Possibility for automation through rules

– Reliable transfer of RGB-values through neutral interfaces

• Disadvantages

– Stacked tolerances or difficult tolerance situations are not

covered yet by color coding

– Limited color codes distinguishable for human eye

Summary

• Color coding to communicate tolerance information

already used in real world

• Currently not useable for difficult tolerance situations

• A hybrid approach combining traditional tolerance

display and colors covers even more situations.

Future

• Master thesis at University of Erlangen to explore

techniques to use color coding for even more

sophisticated tolerance situations.

Thanks for your attention!