Functional decomposition method preserves form and function for computer-aided design
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., February 15, 2005- The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Geomagic an SBIR Phase II grant to extend the company’s research into advanced techniques for creating surface models from point clouds.
The latest grant builds on Geomagic’s successful work last year under a Phase I grant to research functional decomposition – a method for creating high-quality CAD surfaces from polygonal meshes.
Surface reconstruction - partial model of analytic, free-form and fillet surfaces
Under Phase II research, surfaces created from scan data will be structured as a standard CAD model, which will reduce design time for automotive, aerospace and consumer product industries. The research is expected to result in trimmed analytic and NURBS surfaces that retain design intent. Trimming lines will be generated automatically along connecting features, such as fillets or swept surfaces. Optimized patch layout will ensure a higher degree of smoothness, and surface fitting will be controlled automatically by tolerances.
The latest NSF grant is the second Phase II SBIR award that Geomagic has received. Both grants center on innovative research in capturing a physical object and transforming it into an accurate digital model ready for redesign, manufacturing and inspection.
“This is further validation that Geomagic is leading the industry in combining automation with high-quality surfaces for digital design and reconstruction of physical objects,” says Dr. Tamas Varady, Geomagic’s chief technology officer. “Our extended research under this grant will enable our customers to preserve the original details of form and function that are needed in computer-aided design. We are grateful to NSF for supporting our technical team and recognizing the vast commercial potential of this research.”
About Geomagic
Geomagic (www.geomagic.com) is a global company dedicated to advancing and applying 3D technology for the benefit of humanity. Geomagic’s scanning and design software solutions are used to capture and model 3D content from physical objects, organically sculpt complex shapes, and prepare products for manufacturing. In addition, the company produces powerful 3D metrology and inspection software that verifies dimensional quality by comparing as-built products to master designs. Geomagic’s Sensable Phantom haptic devices simulate the sense of touch in a digital environment.
Geomagic’s software and hardware are utilized by world-class customers in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer products, toys, collectibles, coindesign, jewelry, fine art, heritage restoration, research, education, mold making, entertainment, training and surgical simulation. In fact, some of the world’s leading companies and research organizationsuse Geomagic software, including Ford, BMW,Boeing, Harley Davidson, Timberland, Mattel/Fisher Price, Lego, Pratt & Whitney, NASA, Schneider Electronic, 3M, Danaher and Invisalign. Geomagic is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, with an office in Boston, subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, and channel partners worldwide.
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