A method for verification of computer-aided design model errors

Abstract

Computer-aided design (CAD) models have errors that originate from data loss during the data conversion process or the technical weakness of the neutral format. Error recovery requires an increase in lead-time and additional expenses for product development. The serious problem is that errors in a CAD model are not found until after downstream development processes. In this paper, we propose a method to identify CAD model errors that are contained in a neutral format. Considering different topological and geometrical characteristics in the exchange of product model data ( STEP) and initial graphics exchange specification (IGES) formats, our method includes a verification process to check a CAD model error step by step without wasting resources. To test the idea, we have implemented a verification system that checks topological and geometrical errors of 19 items in the STEP format and 12 items in the IGES format.