Interfacing Solid Modeling to CAD and CAM: Data Structures and Algorithms for Decomposing a Solid

TLDR: This article examines four data structure conversions using two types of internal representation: a CSG tree and a boundary representation graph.

Abstract: Because of their many possible uses, geometric models must be applicationindependent as well as informationally complete. This article examines four data structure conversions using two types of internal representation: a CSG tree and a boundary representation graph. Just as research in computer graphics in the 1960's led to the development of contemporary CAD/CAM systems, so is research in geometric modeling in the 1970's likely to be the core of a new generation of CAD/ CAM systems in the 80's. One of the goals of geometric modeliing is to enable the construction of a central database for the information storage, retrieval, and updating of three-dimensional mechanical components, assemblies, and systems. Because such informatioin is intended for a Nvide X ariety of purposes, such as documentation, drafting, engineering analysis, simulation, process planning, part programming, and automatic assembly, a geometric model must be not onlyx complete (having all the necessary information) but also application-independent. At the University of Michigan, the College of Engineering recently embarked on a long-range program (currently funded by a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research) involving integrated manufacturing and robotics. Amid a wide range of research applications such as high-