Interactive surface modelling: model of a function-oriented expert system for specification of surface properties

This paper presents a model in which function-related surface topography knowledgecan be stored in a relation (expert system0database and retrieved by computer communication from an integrated CAD environment. Also, the principles for the representation of a surface function and its related parameters, together with database contents, are discussed. Based on the ideas described, a pilot system for use in interactive surface modelling (ISM) on a personal computer CAD system has been implemented. The ISM system combines company and national standards with geometric representation of 2-D and 3-D surfaces. The system allows the user to interactively construct and simualte 3-D surfaces in the CAD-system with the use of the surface's “key” function parameters. Separation of function components makes it possible to simulate 3-D surfaces with desired properties interactively by the method of “mathematical machining” presented in this paper.