Abstract: A computer-implemented method designs and manufactures a supporting structure for the packaging of a solid object. The supporting structure comprises a plurality of linear support elements that sustain the solid object inside a packaging container. The method includes: a) providing, as an input, a three-dimensional model of the solid object; b) computing a first cumulative linear mass density distribution of the solid object according to a first axis (x); and c) using said first cumulative linear mass density distribution to determine the positions, along said first axis, of linear support elements oriented transversally to said first axis. The resultant positions enable even distribution of the weight of the solid object among the linear support elements. A computer program product, computer-readable data-storage medium, and CAD system carry out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method designs a supporting structure for the packaging of a solid object. The supporting structure comprises a plurality of linear support elements suitable to sustain the solid object inside a packaging container. The method includes: a) providing, as an input, a three-dimensional model of the solid object; b) computing a first cumulative linear mass density distribution of the solid object according to a first axis (x); and c) using said first cumulative linear mass density distribution to determine the positions, along said first axis, of a first plurality of said linear support elements oriented transversally to said first axis. The resultant positions enable even distribution of the weight of the solid object among the linear support elements of said first plurality. A computer program product, computer-readable data-storage medium, and CAD system carry out such a method. A supporting structure designed according to embodiments, and its manufacturing method.

Abstract: Manufacturing process planning is usually considered as not intuitive for non-expert user. This is because a user needs to deal with processes, describing a work to be done, and other abstract concepts that are loosely related to the real world. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to describe a work to be done in response to a user interacting with a three-dimensional representation of one or more parts that form a product and to provide the user with feedback in the form of a graphical representation of the work to be done. This approach is very intuitive as it is close to how a user would, for example, in a real world, decompose a product into sub-assemblies that essentially results into a definition of a manufacturing process of the product.

Abstract: Manufacturing process planning is usually considered as not intuitive for non-expert user. This is because a user needs to deal with processes, describing a work to be done, and other abstract concepts that are loosely related to the real world. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to describe a work to be done in response to a user interacting with a three-dimensional representation of one or more parts that form a product and to provide the user with feedback in the form of a graphical representation of the work to be done. This approach is very intuitive as it is close to how a user would, for example, in a real world, decompose a product into sub-assemblies that essentially results into a definition of a manufacturing process of the product.