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Introduction

Table of Contents

Manufacturing Toolkit (MTK) is a set of APIs that allows to analyze 3D models, retrieve manufacturing process specific information, identify and collect features (geometric modifications that have been made on the workpiece) and find various possible design issues. The results of the analysis can be used later with other tools to estimate manufacturing costs.

Programming Languages Support

MTK is written in C++ and provides wrappers for C# , Java and Python . This documentation is generated from the original C++ code, and that is why uses C++ API conventions. Nonetheless, understanding MTK API for other languages should be very straightforward, especially if consulting numerous examples.

CNC Machining

MTK allows to recognize machining features produced by CNC Machining processes (Milling/Drilling/Turning), such as: holes of various types (through, blind, flat-bottom, partial), countersinks, pockets, etc (the full list of features is listed here). Below is a simple recognition example.
3D model Features

To recognize machining features, simply run Machining_FeatureRecognizer on a solid part, as shown below. A list of found features will be returned as the result of recognition.

ModelData::Solid aSolid = ...;
Machining_FeatureRecognizer aRecognizer;
MTKBase_FeatureList aFeatures = aRecognizer.Perform (aSolid);

The tool has parameters that affect the result. In order to set them, just add the following lines:

Machining_FeatureRecognizerParameters aParam;
aParam.SetHoleRadiusThreshold(10)
/* set up parameters */
...
aRecognizer.Parameters() = aParam;

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for CNC Machining

CNC Machining product designs start with CAD files and in order to get the manufacturable machining parts. Those CAD files should follow specific machining design guidelines. A Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis for CNC Machining can be run on a CAD file in order to find any possible design issues, e.g. small and deep holes, non-standard radius floor fillet, etc. As a result of the analysis, features of the part that don't meet the DFM check criteria will be found.

Issues

Sheet Metal

MTK allows to recognize sheet metal features, such as: bends, beads, holes, cutouts, etc (the full list of features is listed here). Below is a simple recognition example.
3D model Features

To start feature recognition of sheet metal part, simply run SheetMetal_FeatureRecognizer on a part, as shown below. A list of found features will be returned as the result of recognition.

ModelData::Shell aShell = ...;
SheetMetal_FeatureRecognizer aRecognizer;
MTKBase_FeatureList aFeatures = aRecognizer.Perform (aShell);

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for Sheet Metal

Sheet metal design guidelines are followed to ensure the final product is precise and to reduce costs. Unfortunately, some engineers of sheet metal enclosures and parts do not design with the manufacturing process in mind. This gives manufacturers a hard time fixing errors that could have been avoided in the design stage. For this purpose a Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis for Sheet Metal can be run on a CAD file in order to find any possible design issues, e.g. small distance between holes, inconsistent bend radii, etc. As a result of the analysis, features of the part that don't meet the DFM check criteria will be found.

Issues

Unfolding

In some scenarios it can be useful to unfold a sheet metal part to get the original flat metal sheet which was used to produce this part, for example:

  • computation the dimensions and perimeter of the original metal sheet;
  • association of the current shapes of the sheet metal part with the original flat metal sheet ones;
  • transferring the result to CAD systems to design documentation.

The following pictures illustrate a sheet metal model and its unfolded view.

Original 3d model
Unfolded view

To get an unfolding of sheet metal part, simply run SheetMetal_Unfolder on a part, as shown below.

ModelData::Shell aShell = ...;
SheetMetal_Unfolder anUnfolder;
SheetMetal_FlatPattern aFlatPattern = anUnfolder.Perform (aShell);

If a part needs to be processed by SheetMetal_FeatureRecognizer and SheetMetal_Unfolder, you can reduce computation time by running the tools as part of the SheetMetal_Analyzer.Perform(), as shown below.

ModelData::Shell aShell = ...;
SheetMetal_Analyzer anAnalyzer;
anAnalyzer.AddTool (SheetMetal_FeatureRecognizer());
anAnalyzer.AddTool (SheetMetal_Unfolder());
SheetMetal_Data aData = anAnalyzer.Perform (aShell);
MTKBase_FeatureList aFeatures = aData.FeatureList();
SheetMetal_FlatPattern aFlatPattern = anUnfolder.Perform (aShell);

Molding

MTK allows to recognize molding features, such as: ribs, screw bosses, etc (the full list of features is listed here). Below is a simple recognition example.
3D model Features

To recognize molding features, simply run Molding_FeatureRecognizer on a solid part, as shown below. A list of found features will be returned as the result of recognition.

ModelData::Solid aSolid = ...;
Molding_FeatureRecognizer aRecognizer;
MTKBase_FeatureList aFeatures = aRecognizer.Perform (aSolid);

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) for Molding

Molding designs require meticulous attention to detail to ensure successful manufacturing process. A Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis for Molding can be run on a CAD file in order to find any possible design issues, e.g. small draft angles, irregular diameters and heights for ribs and screw bosses, etc. As a result of the analysis, features of the part that don't meet the DFM check criteria will be found.

Issues

Web apps for Manufacturing

With the help of Manufacturing Toolkit Web (MTK Web) you can build a responsive MaaS (Manufacturing-as-a-Service) solution that will visualize and process 3D CAD files in web apps.

Measurements

MTK contains base algorithms for measurements computing:

Advanced algorithms

MTK contains advanced algorithms for analyzing models and retrieving data: