This state-of-the-art text explores developments in geometric modeling, product modeling and their applications. In particular, it looks at the means by which product geometry emerges from the conceptual stages of design, and the use of geometric reasoning for applications downstream of design, including manufacture ands assembly. Much existing design research is either totally geometry based or totally non-geometric, and the interface between the two areas is of intense interest to industry, as well as being crucial for the successful development of integrated systems for design and manufacture. This interface is currently not well understood and the book makes a significant contribution towards its understanding. This book is essential reading for technical managers and research and development engineers.

The International PROLAMAT Conference is an internationally well known event for demonstrating and evaluating activities and progress in the field of discrete manufacturing. Sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), the PROLAMAT is traditionally held every three years and it includes the whole area of advanced software technology for Design and Manufacturing in Discrete Manufacturing. Past editions of the International PROLAMA T Conference have explored: -Manufacturing Technology, -Advances in CAD/CAM, -Software for Discrete Manufacturing, -Software for Manufacturing. The Eight International PROLAMAT held in 1992 (Tokyo), focused on the theme of Man in CIM. The 1995 PROLAMAT (Berlin), featured the theme of Life Cycle Modelling for Innovative Products and Processes. This past emphasis on human aspects and innovation provides a strong foundation for the next PROLAMAT. Under the title: The globalization of manufacturing in the digital communications eraof the 21th century: innovation, agility and the virtual enterprise, the 1998 conference expands the PROLAMAT scope to include teams and virtual enterprises which come together across space and time to develop new products and bring them to global markets. Manufacturing issues and information models have long been part of concurrent engineering; they are increasingly important in new product innovation and in the development of manufacturing plans and processes which span multiple companies along with multiple time zones.

This state-of-the-art text explores developments in geometric modeling, product modeling and their applications. In particular, it looks at the means by which product geometry emerges from the conceptual stages of design, and the use of geometric reasoning for applications downstream of design, including manufacture ands assembly. Much existing design research is either totally geometry based or totally non-geometric, and the interface between the two areas is of intense interest to industry, as well as being crucial for the successful development of integrated systems for design and manufacture. This interface is currently not well understood and the book makes a significant contribution towards its understanding. This book is essential reading for technical managers and research and development engineers.

IFIP Working Group 5.2 has organized a series of workshops aimed at presenting and discussing current issues and future perspectives of Geometric Modeling in the CAD environment. From Geometric Modeling to Shape Modeling comprises the proceedings of the seventh GEO workshop, which was sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and held in Parma, Italy in October 2000. The workshop looked at new paradigms for CAD including the evolution of geometric-centric CAD systems, modeling of non-rigid materials, shape modeling, geometric modeling and virtual prototyping, and new methods of interaction with geometric models. The seventeen included papers provide an interesting overview of the evolution of geometric centric modeling into shape modeling. Also included is an invited speaker paper, which discusses the foundation of the next generation of CAD systems, where shape and function enhance geometric descriptions. The main topics discussed in the book are: Theoretical foundation for solids and surfaces; Computational basis for geometric modeling; Methods of interaction with geometric models; Industrial and other applications of geometric modeling; New paradigms of geometric modeling for CAD; Shape modeling. From Geometric Modeling to Shape Modeling is essential reading for researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, systems developers of advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, and engineers involved in industrial applications.

This state-of-the-art text explores developments in geometric modeling, product modeling and their applications. In particular, it looks at the means by which product geometry emerges from the conceptual stages of design, and the use of geometric reasoning for applications downstream of design, including manufacture ands assembly. Much existing design research is either totally geometry based or totally non-geometric, and the interface between the two areas is of intense interest to industry, as well as being crucial for the successful development of integrated systems for design and manufacture. This interface is currently not well understood and the book makes a significant contribution towards its understanding. This book is essential reading for technical managers and research and development engineers.

The International PROLAMAT Conference is an internationally well known event for demonstrating and evaluating activities and progress in the field of discrete manufacturing. Sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), the PROLAMAT is traditionally held every three years and it includes the whole area of advanced software technology for Design and Manufacturing in Discrete Manufacturing. Past editions of the International PROLAMA T Conference have explored: -Manufacturing Technology, -Advances in CAD/CAM, -Software for Discrete Manufacturing, -Software for Manufacturing. The Eight International PROLAMAT held in 1992 (Tokyo), focused on the theme of Man in CIM. The 1995 PROLAMAT (Berlin), featured the theme of Life Cycle Modelling for Innovative Products and Processes. This past emphasis on human aspects and innovation provides a strong foundation for the next PROLAMAT. Under the title: The globalization of manufacturing in the digital communications eraof the 21th century: innovation, agility and the virtual enterprise, the 1998 conference expands the PROLAMAT scope to include teams and virtual enterprises which come together across space and time to develop new products and bring them to global markets. Manufacturing issues and information models have long been part of concurrent engineering; they are increasingly important in new product innovation and in the development of manufacturing plans and processes which span multiple companies along with multiple time zones.

This state-of-the-art text explores developments in geometric modeling, product modeling and their applications. In particular, it looks at the means by which product geometry emerges from the conceptual stages of design, and the use of geometric reasoning for applications downstream of design, including manufacture ands assembly. Much existing design research is either totally geometry based or totally non-geometric, and the interface between the two areas is of intense interest to industry, as well as being crucial for the successful development of integrated systems for design and manufacture. This interface is currently not well understood and the book makes a significant contribution towards its understanding. This book is essential reading for technical managers and research and development engineers.

IFIP Working Group 5.2 has organized a series of workshops aimed at presenting and discussing current issues and future perspectives of Geometric Modeling in the CAD environment. From Geometric Modeling to Shape Modeling comprises the proceedings of the seventh GEO workshop, which was sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and held in Parma, Italy in October 2000. The workshop looked at new paradigms for CAD including the evolution of geometric-centric CAD systems, modeling of non-rigid materials, shape modeling, geometric modeling and virtual prototyping, and new methods of interaction with geometric models. The seventeen included papers provide an interesting overview of the evolution of geometric centric modeling into shape modeling. Also included is an invited speaker paper, which discusses the foundation of the next generation of CAD systems, where shape and function enhance geometric descriptions. The main topics discussed in the book are: Theoretical foundation for solids and surfaces; Computational basis for geometric modeling; Methods of interaction with geometric models; Industrial and other applications of geometric modeling; New paradigms of geometric modeling for CAD; Shape modeling. From Geometric Modeling to Shape Modeling is essential reading for researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, systems developers of advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, and engineers involved in industrial applications.