Concept of a design support system for form comparison

Research into the influence of machine- and tool-elasticity on the accuracy of formed components requires that the component form is analysed using FEM and measured, perhaps on a co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM), for comparison with the specifications of the component; this comparison would enable the definition of form-errors of the component. A solid modelling strategy, which enables the assessment of manufacturing features of a component within the design cycle, is proposed for nett-shape manufacturing. The approach is supported by an error-evaluation methodology which enables the comparison of the model of the component and the form generated by FE simulation and form-measurement. The integration of the design and assessment is enhanced by the use of an integrated information model which is created by feature extraction and attribute manipulation of solid models.