Automatic dimensioning for 3D model of shaft-like parts

An automatic dimensioning algorithm was presented in order to solve the problem that automatic dimensioning could not reflect the design intent, which was due to the exclusive consideration on the geometry of the products, as well as the ignorance of the functional properties. Firstly, the dimensioning datum set was generated according to the products' function. Secondly, the rules were set upto determine the dimensioning priorities for axial dimensions, with which the axial dimension set was constructed, and then the dimension redundancy was eliminated based on the graph theory. Thirdly, the radial dimension set was generated, and the redundant dimensions were removed by means of dimension-redundancy theory. Finally, an example was given to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the approach.