Delcam Updates Solid Doctor for CAD Data Repair

By DE Editors

The 2013 release of Delcam's PowerSHAPE CAD software, due for release later this summer, will include what the company describes as a major upgrade to the Solid Doctor module for data repair.

The module offers a set of tools for the repair of CAD models from all sources, including IGES, STEP and native CATIA files. It can be used to "tackle all the common problems that are found when translating low-precision and incomplete data, including gaps and overlaps between surfaces, or duplicated and missing surfaces, and generate a valid, high-precision solid model," according to the company.

The Solid Doctor uses a combination of automatic data repair tools, together with the surface creation and editing options that are available from PowerSHAPE. This combination means that simple repairs can be carried out quickly, while more complex problems can be overcome by deleting and replacing the existing surfaces within the model.

The first stage in using the Solid Doctor is to analyze the model to determine the extent of any inconsistency issues in topology or geometry. These errors are labeled on the model and divided into separate categories. For each category or class of inconsistency, the module recommends the most appropriate course of action, including a possible automatic fix.

The user then applies the automated repair sequence. Each corrected issue has its label changed from red to green as it is repaired. The repairs can be inspected individually to ensure that the results are as required, or the whole model can be checked again to highlight any further inconsistencies.

The second repair stage involves using Delcam's trim region editing tools to correct larger issues that require manual repair, such as mismatches between the edges of the various surfaces within the model.

For the more serious problems that remain, it will usually be necessary to generate replacement surfaces in the affected area. This can be done using PowerSHAPE's Smart Surfacing technology. The user simply deletes the existing surfaces and sketches around the area to be repaired. PowerSHAPE will then analyze the boundary and suggest the most appropriate type of surface to fill the space. Tangency can be maintained with the surrounding surfaces if required.

Once the user is satisfied with the quality of the repaired surfaces, they are incorporated back into the solid model automatically. This process continues until all the inconsistencies have been resolved.

For more information, visit Delcam.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.