A graph-based approach to CAD modeling: a digital pattern application to the sizing and modeling of manual transverse gearboxes

Purpose - The paper proves that the representation of assembly/product dependencies based on graphs and represented through three levels of detail simplifies both the design of assembly/ product and the development of tools dedicated to the design activities. Result - The comparison of directed-graphs (digraphs) related to two different manual gearboxes highlights the usefulness of a graph-based approach for CAD modeling and its use in the development of a related Graphical User Interfaces (GUI). Discussion & Conclusion - One key issue for reduction the time to market of a mechanical product, of a software tool or any other product is the knowledge reuse. In such a context, a graph-based approach helps in those cases where a digital pattern setting is recommended. The approach and the software tool are useful both for designers and companies that want to customize and improve such reuse activity. Therefore, the paper presents the architecture of a three shafts gearbox and compare it with a classical architecture of a two shafts gearbox. The analysis of the differences existing between the two architectures are carried out by using a graph-based approach. Then, the comparison is used to set up a software tool useful for both gearbox architectures. Finally, the generation of a GUI, developed in MatLAB® environment, allows to easily generate the preliminary CAD models of different gearboxes, related to each architecture.