MECH 251  Principles of CAD/CAM/CAE

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is of two-folds: (1) to teach the fundamental theories and basic concepts underlying today's technologies in computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided  manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE), and (2) to provide hands-on opportunities and trainings for the students to learn some popular CAD/CAM software, in particular the CAD software Solidworks^TM and the CAM software MasterCAM^TM. By receiving a thorough fundamental theoretical training and mastering real CAD/CAM/CAE software, a student will be more equipped and more confident to solve difficult problems in design and manufacturing.

OBE (Outcome Based Education) Matrix

Instructor:

Dr. Kai Tang  Dept. of Mech. Engineering; E-mail: mektang@ust.hk; Tel: 852-2358-8656; Room 2544;

                         Office hours: Wednesday, 10:00 - 13:00, or by appointment.

Textbook:

•    Kunwoo Lee, "Principles of CAD/CAM/CAE Systems", Addison Wesley, 1999. (Reference only)

Grade Policy:      

•     Homework                                         5%

•     Lab Mark                                         30%

•     Mid-term exam                                30%

•     Final-exam                                       35%

Time and place:  

•     Lecture:                 Thursday, 15:30-17:20, Room 2406

•     Labs (class):         Monday, 10:30-13:20; UG Lab (room 4225C, lift 24)

•     Labs (practice):    The UG Lab (room 4225C, lift 24) is open to students Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm.

TAs:      

•     QUAN Lulin; email:  ppxq@ust.hk
      Office hours: Monday 1:30pm - 4:00pm; at UG Lab. Appointment by email for non-office hours

Announcement

Syllabus and Schedule:  

1. Overview

2. Definitions of CAD, CAM, and CAE

3. A case study of CAD/CAM/CAE

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Part 2:    Basic Concepts of Graphics Programming

1. Graphics Libraries

2. Coordinate Systems

3. Windows and Viewports

4. Transformation matrix

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Demonstration of solutions to homework

Part 3:    Computer-Aided Drafting Systems

1. Traditional vs. Computer-Aided Drafting

2. Drawing Setup

3. Basic Drawing Functions

4. Annotation Functions

5. Utility Functions

6. Compatibility of Drawing Files

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Part 4:    Geometric Modeling Systems

1. Wireframe Modeling Systems

2. Surface Modeling Systems

3. Solid Modeling Systems

   • Modeling functions

   • Data structure

   • Euler operations

   • Boolean operations

4. Non-manifold Modeling Systems

5. Assembly Modeling Systems

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Part 5:    Representation and manipulation of curves

1. Types of Curve Equations

2. Conic Sections

3. Hermite Curves

4. Bezier Curves

   • Definition

   • Properties

   • Differentiation

   • Evaluation

5. B-Spline Curves

6. Interpolation

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Bezier curve demo

Curves and surfaces demo

Part 6:    Basics of finite element methods

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Mid-term review

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Solutions for the homework (these will be available for only two weeks online)

Mid-term exam

Part 7:    Representation and manipulation of surfaces

1. Types of Surface Equations

2. Basic Terminologies of Parametric Surface

3. Bilinear Surface

4. Coons Patch

5. Bicubic and Hermite Surface

6. Bezier Surface

   • Definition

   • Properties

   • Differentiation

   • Evaluation

7. B-Spline Surface

8. Practical Examples of Surface Constructions

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Part 8:    Finite-element modeling

1. Node Connection Approach

   • Node generations

   • Edge generations

2. Topology Decomposition Approach

3. Geometry Decomposition Approach

4. Grid-Based Approach

5. Quadtree and Octree Approach

6. Mapped Element Approach

7. Improvement of Mesh Quality

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Part 9:    Optimization

1. Treatment of Constraints

   • Exterior penalty functions

   • Interior penalty functions

2. Search Methods

3. Gradient-based method

4. Simulated Annealing

5. Genetic Algorithms

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How to solve TSP using GA

GA demo

Part 10:    Numerical Control Machining

1. Introduction

2. Types of NC Systems

3. Basic Concepts for Part Programming

   • Tool axes

   • Syntax of a G-Code part program

4. Manual Part Programming

5. Computer-Assisted Part Programming

   • APT language

   • Other part programming language

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Part 11:    Tool Path Generation Algorithms

1. 2D Pocketing Machining

   • Persson's algorithm

   • Zigzag tool path generation

2. Lathe Machining

   • Configuration space

   • Minkowski sums

   • Upper-enveloping operation

3. 3-axis Surface Machining

   • Tool-surface contact formula

   • Drive-plane+upper-enveloping algorithm

4. 5-axis Surface Machining

   • Total ordering of sample points

   • Contact point method

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Tool paths demo

Part 12:    Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing

1. Overview

2. RP&M Processes

   • Stereo Lithography

   • Selective Laser Sintering

   • Laminated-object manufacturing

   • 3D printing

3. Applications of RP&M

   • Prototyping for design evaluation

   • Prototyping for function verification

   • Rapid tooling processes

4. Stereo Lithography Process

   • Geometry input

   • Preparation

   • Part building

   • Part completion

   • Post-processing

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Final exam review

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Solutions for the homework (these will be available for only two weeks online)

Final exam

For the instructor only: