Abstract: Methods, manufactured parts, and computer programs for horizontally structured manufacturing. A blank is selected for machining into an actual part, and a coordinate system is established. A plurality of process bodies are created in a single file. Each process body includes a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a plurality of manufacturing features. A virtual machining of each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank is implemented. Each manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Manufacturing instructions are generated to create the actual part by machining the plurality of manufacturing features into the blank.

Abstract: A method for converting a vertically structured CAD/CAM model to a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model, comprising: identifying and establishing a base feature; establishing a parent coordinate system; identifying a parent modeling element; identifying each dependency for each feature from the parent modeling element; restructuring each dependency for each feature for placement, such that each feature exhibits a direct associative relationship with a reference feature; and restructuring each dependency for each feature for positioning, such that each feature exhibits a direct associative relationship with another reference feature.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling, comprising: establishing a coordinate system; adding a base feature; adding a form feature; where the form feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Also disclosed herein is a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model, comprising: a coordinate system; a base feature; a form feature; where the form feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Further disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling. The storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement the method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing. Additionally disclosed is a computer data signal for horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling. The computer data signal comprising code configured to cause a processor to implement a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured manufacturing process modeling for large process models comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; and establishing a coordinate system. The method also includes: creating a master process model in a first file comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating a group reference link of selected manufacturing features of the master process model. The method also includes generating an in-process model in a separate file from the first file employing the group reference link, the in-process model exhibiting another associative relationship with the master process model. The method also includes generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing process for fixtures and tooling comprising: selecting a contact area geometry; generating a tooling model corresponding to the contact area geometry; virtual machining the tooling model to generate the fixtures and tooling; and generating machining instructions to create the fixtures and tooling; where the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry. Also disclosed herein is a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model for fixtures and tooling, comprising: a selected contact area geometry; a tooling model that corresponds to the contact area geometry, generated from the selected contact area geometry; where the tooling model includes virtual machining operations to generate the fixtures and tooling; and the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured automated CAD/CAM manufacturing process, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model comprising: virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank; capturing manufacturing process rules in a spread sheet; and the spread sheet exhibiting an associative relationship with the master process model. Also disclosed is a manufactured part created by a method of horizontally structured automated CAD/CAM manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for virtual machining and inspection of a three-dimensional virtual workpiece representative of an actual workpiece comprising: creating a three-dimensional tool model; defining a tool path through the virtual workpiece; creating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the three-dimensional tool model; and passing each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices along the tool path and through the virtual workpiece; wherein material from the virtual workpiece coming into contact with each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices passed there through is subtracted from the virtual workpiece; and conducting a virtual inspection of the virtual work piece.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing with horizontal coordinate systems including selecting a blank for machining into an actual part, establishing a coordinate system; and establishing an other coordinate system. The other coordinate system exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes creating a master process model including a virtual blank corresponding to the blank, a manufacturing feature, virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting another associative relationship with at least one of the coordinate system and the other coordinate system, and generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: A method of manipulating manufacturing features in horizontally structured manufacturing process models for large parts, comprising: selecting a manufacturing feature from a plurality of manufacturing features; wherein the horizontally structured manufacturing process model includes a first master process model in a first file with an established coordinate system with an existing sequence of virtual machining each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into a virtual blank, and each manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system and the virtual blank. The method also includes relocating the selected manufacturing feature of another master process model; and re-sequencing the master process model to establish a new sequence for virtual machining each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank indicative of the relocating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for fixtures and tooling comprising: selecting a contact area geometry; creating extracts from a master process model; generating a tooling model corresponding to the contact area geometry; virtual machining the tooling model to generate the fixtures and tooling; and generating machining instructions and drawings to create the fixtures and tooling; where the tooling model exhibits an associative relationship with the contact area geometry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing for concurrent product and process design, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part establishing a coordinate system; and creating a master product and process concurrent model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank; where the manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes generating a product drawing of the actual part; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: A method of manipulating manufacturing features in horizontally structured manufacturing process models for large parts, comprising: selecting a manufacturing feature from a plurality of manufacturing features; wherein said horizontally structured manufacturing process model includes a first master process model in a first file with an established coordinate system with an existing sequence of virtual machining each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into a virtual blank, and each manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system and the virtual blank. The method also includes relocating the selected manufacturing feature of another master process model; and re-sequencing the master process model to establish a new sequence for virtual machining each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank indicative of the relocating.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing, comprising with horizontal coordinate systems comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; and establishing another coordinate system wherein the another coordinate system exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes creating a master process model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting another associative relationship with at least one of the coordinate system and the another coordinate system; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured manufacturing process modeling for large process models comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; and establishing a coordinate system. The method also includes: creating a master process model in a first file comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating a group reference link of selected manufacturing features of the master process model. The method also includes generating an in-process model in a separate file from the first file employing the group reference link, the in-process model exhibiting another associative relationship with the master process model. The method also includes generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling, comprising: establishing a coordinate system; establishing another coordinate system or a coordinate reference; adding a base feature; adding a form feature; wherein the another coordinate system exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The form feature exhibits another associative relationship with at least one of the coordinate system and another coordinate system. A horizontally structured CAD/CAM model is also disclosed. The model comprising: a coordinate system; another coordinate system; a base feature; and a form feature. The another coordinate system exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and the form feature exhibits another associative relationship with at least one of the coordinate system and the another coordinate system.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured manufacturing, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model in a first file comprising a virtual blank corresponding to the blank and a plurality of manufacturing features. The method also includes: virtual machining of each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank, each manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; creating an in-process model by copying and linking the virtual blank and copying and linking a selected manufacturing feature from the master process model to the in-process model. The method also includes generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the plurality of manufacturing features into the blank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a horizontal structure method of CAD/CAM manufacturing where a base feature is provided and one or more form features added to it to form a model. The form features are added in an associative relationship with the base feature, preferable a parent child relationship, but are added in a way as to have substantially no associative relationships with each other. The result is a horizontally-structured Master Process Model where any one form feature can be altered or deleted without affecting the rest of the model. Extracts are then made of the Master Process Model to show the construction of the model feature by feature over time. These extracts are then used to generate manufacturing instructions that are used to machine a real-world part from a blank shaped like the base feature.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for modeling a three-dimensional tool path through a virtual workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes; creating a three-dimensional tool model and defining a tool path through the virtual workpiece. A plurality of two-dimensional slices is then created from the three-dimensional tool model, and each of the plurality of two-dimensional slices is passed along the tool path and through the virtual workpiece. Material from the virtual workpiece coming into contact with each of the plurality of two-dimensional slices passed therethrough is subtracted from the virtual workpiece.