Abstract: A system and method of integrating geometric models, comprising identifying a product to design or manufacture, generating a product template, initiating the generation of at least one geometry, associating knowledge with the geometry, performing operations on the geometry, comparing results of the operations to rules, modifying the geometry and the knowledge, propagating the modifications to at least one second geometry, and updating the template.

Abstract: A method of making a ball-screw rack bar for use in a power steering mechanism of an automotive vehicle. Transverse rack teeth are cut in an exterior surface of a first end portion of a length of a bar stock. A ball-screw thread is cut in an exterior surface of a second end portion of the length of bar stock. The first end portion is heat-treated to a first hardness and the second end portion is heat-treated to a second hardness by passing an induction coil scanner lengthwise over the length of bar stock from one end to the other. The ball-screw thread is cut by whirling. Preferably the heat-treating is carried out after the cutting of the transverse rack teeth and before the cutting of the ball-screw thread. The rack bar produced by this method may be solid or hollow. The rack bar may be made by separately forming two lengths of bar stock and butt-welding them together, or they may be made from a solid length of bar stock.

Abstract: A system and method of integrating geometric models, comprising identifying a product to design or manufacture, generating a product template, initiating the generation of at least one geometry, associating knowledge with the geometry, performing operations on the geometry, comparing results of the operations to rules, modifying the geometry and the knowledge, propagating the modifications to at least one second geometry, and updating the template.