Exchange of CAD Part Models Based on the Macro-Parametric Approach

Abstract

It is not possible to exchange parametric information of CAD models based on the current version of STEP. The design intent can be lost during the STEP transfer of CAD models. The Parametrics Group of ISO/TC184/SC4 has proposed the SMCH schema, which includes constructs for exchange of parametric information. This paper proposes a macro-parametric approach that is intended to provide capabilities to transfer parametric information including design intents. In this approach, CAD models are exchanged in the form of macro files. The macro file contains the history of user commands, which are used in the modeling phase. To exchange CAD models using the macro-parametric approach, the modeling commands of several commercial CAD systems are analyzed. Those commands are classified and a set of standard modeling commands has been defined. Mapping relations between the standard modeling commands and the native modeling commands of commercial CAD systems are defined. The scope of the current version is limited to parts modeling, not assemblies.