Feature-based non-manifold modelling system for integration of CAD and CAE systems for injection moulding products

A feature-based non-manifold geometric modelling system has been developed to provide an integrated environment for design and analysis of injection moulding products. In this system the geometric models for CAD and CAE systems are represented by a non-manifold boundary representation and are merged into a single geometric model, from which the suitable form of geometric model for design and analysis can be extracted. In our system, a part model containing geometric and feature data is first created using the feature modelling shell. Then, the abstract model for analysis is extracted using the feature mapping shell. Finally, two or three node meshes for injection moulding simulation systems are automatically generated on the abstract model. By introducing the Boolean operations based on a non-manifold representation, the feature deletion and interaction problem of the feature-based design system has clearly been solved, The sheet modelling capabilities were also developed for easy modelling of thin plastic parts.