Computer Aided Engineering Design

A new discipline is said to attain maturity when the subject matter takes the shape of a textbook. Several textbooks later, the discipline tends to acquire a firm place in the curriculum for teaching and learning. Computer Aided Engineering Design (CAED), barely three decades old, is interdisciplinary in nature whose boundaries are still expanding. However, it draws its core strength from several acknowledged and diverse areas such as computer graphics, differential geometry, Boolean algebra, computational geometry, topological spaces, numerical analysis, mechanics of solids, engineering design and a few others. CAED also needs to show its strong linkages with Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). As is true with any growing discipline, the literature is widespread in research journals, edited books, and conference proceedings. Various textbooks have appeared with different biases, like geometric modeling, computer graphics, and CAD/CAM over the last decade. This book goes into mathematical foundations and the core subjects of CAED without allowing itself to be overshadowed by computer graphics. It is written in a logical and thorough manner for use mainly by senior and graduate level students as well as users and developers of CAD software. The book covers (a) The fundamental concepts of geometric modeling so that a real understanding of designing synthetic surfaces and solid modeling can be achieved. (b) A wide spectrum of CAED topics such as CAD of linkages and machine elements, finite element analysis, optimization. (c) Application of these methods to real world problems.

This book amalgamates geometric modelling, analysis and optimization, the three important aspects in Computer Aided Engineering Design. While the three subjects are well developed by themselves, a detailed discussion on engineering visualization (transformations and projections) and mathematical background of free form, parametric and piecewise design of curves and surfaces is provided. A topological basis is given when discussing wireframe, boundary representation and constructive solid geometry as solid modelling techniques. Computational geometry, point membership classification and recent trends on modelling using point cloud data in reverse engineering are also covered in brief. The book provides an introductory treatment on linear elastic finite element analysis using some basic elements and optimization methods ranging from root finding single variable to constrained multi-variable approaches. The book is conceived with an intent to be a text for a semester course.

This book amalgamates geometric modelling, analysis and optimization, the three important aspects in Computer Aided Engineering Design. While the three subjects are well developed by themselves, a detailed discussion on engineering visualization (transformations and projections) and mathematical background of free form, parametric and piecewise design of curves and surfaces is provided. A topological basis is given when discussing wireframe, boundary representation and constructive solid geometry as solid modelling techniques. Computational geometry, point membership classification and recent trends on modelling using point cloud data in reverse engineering are also covered in brief. The book is conceived with an intent to be a text for a semester course. (Midwest) The development of mankind has depended on the ability to modify and shape the material that nature has made available, in ways to provide them their basic needs, and security and comfort required for their survival and advancement.