A Feature-Based CAD-CAE Integrated Approach of Machine Tool and its Implementation

An analysis feature-based CAD-CAE integrated approach was proposed to solve the problems of rapidly CAE modeling for static and dynamic analysis process of machine tool. Firstly, analysis features were defined in CAD system and analysis feature library was constructed for machine tool and its structural components. Secondly, analysis feature model was constructed by attaching analysis feature to CAD model interactively. Finally, ANSYS parametric design language (APDL) file was generated automatically by mapping analysis features to APDL codes, which realized the integration of CAD system and ANSYS system. Based on application programming interface (API) of SolidWorks, a parametric CAD-CAE tool oriented to static and dynamic analysis of machine tool was developed, which realized parametric modeling and automatic analysis of machine tool and improved design efficiency and quality of machine tool.