Diagnostics

Diagnostics is described as the investigation of symptoms in an attempt at understanding the nature of a problem.  CADfix has a battery of almost a hundred checks it can run on a model each with one or more suggested remedies to solve the ailments or problems within a CAD model that inhibit its fitness for purpose. The diagnostics tests or checks are expertly grouped together to suit the needs of the individual CAD model based on an understanding of its source and the requirements of the target system and/or purpose.

There are a group of Valid Model checks, which CADfix will need to run and pass as part of the Wizard Repair process. One of the first tasks on opening CADfix is the selection of the Target system, which will define another group of test to be run after the model has been repaired preparing the model for export. Complementing the normal Wizard repair and prepare processes are a series of quality checks based on the JAMA standard that are designed to analyse the geometry and report on the CAD models condition.

The tests and checks provided under the Diagnostics tab can be customised into names and saved groups by the user to suite their particular requirements.

The CAD model problems that have been identified break down into seven main classes: Connectivity, Unused, Integrity, Continuity, Topology, Complexity and Sloppiness. In each class is a series of related checks which can also be categorised by geometry type i.e. points, edges, edge-loops, surfaces, faces, shells and bodies. The appropriate checks are automatically activated and performed during the Wizard process. If at any stage during the Wizard process the model fails a relevant batch of checks is run to reveal the diagnostics of the problem e.g. failure during a Repair stage will activate a diagnostics run based on a subset of checks designed to test for a Valid Model. 

 

The results of the diagnostic scan are presented in tree form: the branches of the tree are expanded automatically to show the problems occurring under each category. For instance, in the example above we can see that there are 77 Poorly connected edges still remaining in the model after a Wizard Repair run. The user is provided with a diagnostic summary to assist in the analysis of the problems and some advise on what to do next. Leading them through each problem onto the next until the model is finally ready for export.

During the export of the model to ACIS, Parasolid and Pro/Engineer tools used in these systems carry out more proprietary testing. If any problems are discovered CADfix will run another series of diagnostics checks efficiently on just the failed set of parts to reveal any remaining problems in the model.

Using Diagnostics

Under the Diagnostics tab there is a results window where the scanned problems are recorded. The Results window can be replaced with the Checks window, which shows the filtered subset of checks carried out for the particular target system chosen. If you wish to see the full list you will need to remove the filter by selecting the Show all test from the pull down at the bottom of the Checks window.

When the Working set is set to ALL, the diagnostic scan will be performed on the whole model. The scan can be limited to a sub-set of the model by specifying the name of an existing set. Alternatively, the Set Browser tool can be used to select a set from a list of existing sets, or the Set Manager tool can be invoked to create a new working set.

The CAD system preparation criteria against which the model is checked are set using the Target pull-down menu. If the Wizard process fails during repair a diagnostic scan is automatically run and the results displayed under the Diagnostic tab in the Results window.

Any of these problem areas can then be selected. Using a right mouse click on the problem item reveals a menu of options, which allow you to set the display, frame, browse, probe or place all the parts into a set.

l              When the Display only option is checked the graphics area is wiped and only the problem parts are displayed.

l              When the Display labels is checked any display of the problem parts will include the labels.

l              When the Auto frame is checked the display will frame in to the problem parts.

The problem descriptions can be minimised or opened by selecting the link for Problem Description >>. On selecting the problem a Problem description will be presented in the window below and Possible fix methods represented by links to the associated fix tool.

 

Many problems have an accompanying image that can be accessed by clicking on the ‘open book’ icon to the right of the Problem description heading with the left hand mouse button.

 

For the example given, the first possible fix to: Stitch at a coarser tolerance is chosen. In the tool window the tolerance will be set at the default already used by the Wizard Repair process. Confirmation of the problem edges found and also the set of parts to which the fix will be applied is presented at the bottom of the fix tool window. The user can re-check for the problem parts by clicking on the Find button.  Alternatively there is a Filter button which when used will reveal the Set Manager containing all the problem parts. The user may remove parts from the set before the Fix is applied.

If the fix is successful when the parameters are chosen and the Fix applied, the Results window above is amended. In which case either the number of poorly connected edges will be reduced or the item removed altogether from the view. For our example the selected fix fails to solve the problem as indicated by following window:

The next fix option may be selected which for this example would be build faces. The list of possible solutions is presented in a general order. Although the most popular solutions are presented first the order cannot cater for every eventuality.

For our example the Build faces fix solves the problem, which leaves only 38 unused faces left in the problem list. CADfix monitors the changes to the problem list and in this situation would present the following window offering advice:

 

Diagnostics summary

The Diagnostic summary window provides some assistance to the user in resolving the problems. There is a description of the possible problem and reference to the colour coded markers. The colours indicate the recommended order for tackling the problems i.e. red first then yellow and finally cyan.

A link to Resolve the first model problem opens up the possible fix methods. Another link to Change the repair options will open up the Wizard Repair options menu to, for example, changing the Model type target from Bodies to faces.

Selecting the link to Continue with Wizard will permit users to either repeat the Wizard Repair process or continue onto the Wizard Prepare process for your selected target system.