Comparison of SDF (Standard Data Format) and IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) translators for PATRAN/CADAM communication

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5127806

Bradley, J P; Cain, W D; Chipley, K K; Domm, T C; Gray, W H

Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., uses CADAM design and drafting software on several IBM mainframe computers. Most of the engineering analysis activity occurs on DEC VAX computers utilizing PATRAN and MSC/NASTRAN. As in most large organizations, this mix of hardware and software causes a multitude of communications problems. Vertical integration of design activities from the conceptual level to the formation of numerical control (NC) tapes is the goal. The investigation of an appropriate translator between PATRAN and CADAM has concentrated on the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) and the Standard Data Format (SDF) interface written by LTV Aerospace and Defense Company. Both interfaces are operational and can alleviate some of the repetitious input of geometric data. The limitation of the current production version of CADAM to two-dimensional modeling restricts usefulness of either interface at this time. The SDF interface seems to incorporate some unique features that yield a high-quality two-dimensional representation as received in PATRAN. The IGES interface attempts to preserve the three-dimensional information in the model at the expense of high-quality visual representation in PATRAN. Results of both translations are described, and limitations are discussed. The IGES translator successfully transferred files in both directions, while the SDF translation from SDF to CADAM could not be achieved. 1 ref., 11 figs.

• Research Organization: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5127806
• Report Number(s): CONF-8606388-1; ON: DE88007256
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990210 -- Supercomputers-- (1987-1989)
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
DATA TRANSMISSION
EQUIPMENT INTERFACES
TRANSLATORS