Pedro Company

Pedro Company
Universitat Jaume I | UJI · Institute of New Imaging Technologies

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

About

109
Publications
69,671
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
1,757
Citations
Introduction
Born in 1959 in Xátiva, province of Valencia (Spain). Industrial Engineering by Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in 1985, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering by the same university in 1989. He started as Engineering Graphics’ assistant professor at UPV in 1985, where he was professor from 1990 up to 1994. He joined Jaume I University (UJI) in 1994. Since 1996 he is full professor in Engineering Graphics at UJI. See https://sites.google.com/a/uji.es/pedrocompany/
Additional affiliations
November 1995 - July 2015
Universitat Jaume I
Position
  • Professor (Full)
November 1995 - December 2015
Universitat Jaume I
Position
  • Professor (Full)

Publications

Publications (109)
Article
Full-text available
Sketched drawings sometimes include non-solid lines drawn as sets of consecutive strokes. They represent dashed lines, which are useful for various purposes. Recognizing such dashed lines while parsing drawings is reasonably straightforward if they are outlined with a ruler and compass but becomes challenging when they are hand-drawn. The problem i...
Chapter
In the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) paradigm, digital product models are the primary source of information to support the design, analysis, and manufacturing of products. The master geometry of these product models is generally built procedurally in a CAD system, typically as history-based parametric geometry. However, some model conversion and exc...
Article
Sketch-Based Modeling (SBM) is a field of study that focuses on the automatic creation of 3D models from freehand drawings. Today, two related branches coexist: one aimed at facilitating input for 3D content creation, and the other aimed at routing engineering designs into CAD/CAM/CAE. The latter is the goal of this position paper. Early attempts c...
Article
Full-text available
As the engineering and manufacturing sectors transform their processes into those of a digital enterprise, future designers and engineers must be trained to guarantee the quality of the digital models that are created and consumed throughout the product’s lifecycle. Formative training approaches, particularly those based on online rubrics, have bee...
Article
The ability to recognize misleading data visualizations is a key aspect of visualization literacy. In this article, we argue that learning to successfully identify a deceptive graphic requires strategies that deliberately force learners to take an active role in the visualization process. We describe a series of experiments where three groups of le...
Article
Full-text available
Our goal is to automatically generate CAD 3D models from 2D sketches as part of a design chain where models should be procedural, containing features arranged in a model tree and linked to suitable datums. Current procedural models capture much about the design intent and are easy to edit, but must be created from scratch during the detailed design...
Article
Strategies for design reuse play a fundamental role in the development of products that change and evolve over time. Design changes often involve modifications in the geometry of parts and assemblies, which are driven by changes in the digital representation of the product, i.e. the procedural and parametric CAD model. Consequently, constraint redu...
Article
Full-text available
In this paper, we lay the foundation for estimating the cost associatedn to parametric modeling changes and discuss its implications on the broader context of engineering change management. We provide an analysis of the different stages, decision points and relationships between the stages involved in the change process and present a roadmap for fu...
Article
Full-text available
The assurance of model quality in parametric CAD implies that designers must build models that facilitate reuse while retaining their design intent when modified. In this context, a suitable selection of geometric constraints that operate within and between features is key to produce robust-while-flexible models which are a prerequisite for reusabi...
Article
Full-text available
In order to be reusable, history-based feature-based parametric CAD models must reliably allow for modifications while maintaining their original design intent. In this paper, we demonstrate that relations that fix the location of geometric entities relative to the reference system produce inflexible profiles that reduce model reusability. We prese...
Article
In this article, visual perception principles were used to build an artificial perception model aimed at developing an algorithm for detecting junctions in line drawings of polyhedral objects that are vectorized from hand-drawn sketches. The detection is performed in two dimensions (2D), before any 3D model is available and minimal information abou...
Article
Full-text available
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) offer new roles to teachers to improve learning processes. In this regard, learning rubrics are commonplace. However, the design of these rubrics has focused mainly on scoring (summative rubrics), whereas formative rubrics have received significantly less attention. ICTs make possible electronic ru...
Preprint
Full-text available
We present a database architecture for exploring, classifying, and visualizing feature-based parametric CAD models based on quantitative complexity metrics. The system consists of (1) an external relational database structure where models are stored along with their graph representation and the numerical values of each complexity metric, (2) a clie...
Conference Paper
We present a database architecture for exploring, classifying, and visualizing feature-based parametric CAD models based on quantitative complexity metrics. The system consists of (1) an external relational database structure where models are stored along with their graph representation and the numerical values of each complexity metric, (2) a clie...
Chapter
We outline an artificial perception model for an algorithm that detects junctions in casual sketches. These sketches are used by skilled individuals to visually and quickly convey ideas.
Article
Full-text available
An approach to convey CAD quality-oriented strategies to beginning users to create bottom-up assemblies is described. The work builds on previous efforts in the area of single part history-based, feature-based parametric modeling evaluation by defining, testing, and validating a set of quality dimensions that can be applied to MCAD assembly assessm...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Learning rubrics allow for standardizing the evaluation process. Assessment criteria are scored on the basis of performance levels that define the degree of compliance with established specifications. But the aims of rubrics can go beyond assessment. Formative purposes can also be achieved with rubrics, as they enable students to detect the strengt...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Design reusability largely depends on the parametric quality of its associated digital product data. In this regard, the quality of the master model (typically a history-based parametric model) is crucial. However, no quantitative metrics exist that can provide an accurate assessment of parametric complexity and model reusability. In this paper, a...
Preprint
Full-text available
Design reusability largely depends on the parametric quality of its associated digital product data. In this regard, the quality of the master model (typically a history-based parametric model) is crucial. However, no quantitative metrics exist that can provide an accurate assessment of parametric complexity and model reusability. In this paper, a...
Article
Full-text available
Mass-customization has forced manufacturing companies to put significant efforts to digitize and automate their engineering and production processes. When new products are to be developed and introduced the production is not alone to be automated. The application of knowledge regarding how the product should be designed and produced based on custom...
Preprint
Full-text available
Digital product data quality has proven to be a unifying theme in designing and reusing efficient products, particularly in the context of the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE). More specifically, the quality of the master model (usually a history-based parametric model) is critical, as it determines the quality of all secondary models used in subsequen...
Conference Paper
Digital product data quality has proven to be a unifying theme in designing and reusing efficient products, particularly in the context of the Model-Based Enterprise (MBE). More specifically, the quality of the master model (usually a history-based parametric model) is critical, as it determines the quality of all secondary models used in subsequen...
Article
In this paper, we build on the idea that specialized instruction improves the overall quality of CAD documents by guiding students into selecting the most suitable modeling strategies and approaches. To this end, automatic assessment tools can be used to detect errors and provide feedback, thus relieving instructors from routine checks and allowing...
Article
Full-text available
Design intent is generally understood simply as a CAD model’s anticipated behavior when altered. However, this representation provides a simplified view of the model’s construction and purpose, which may hinder its general understanding and future reusability. Our vision is that design intent communication may be improved by recognizing the multifa...
Article
Full-text available
As CAD models continue to become more critical information sources in the product’s lifecycle, it is necessary to develop efficient mechanisms to store, retrieve, and manage larger volumes of increasingly complex data. Because of their unique characteristics, 3D annotations can be used to embed design and manufacturing information directly into a C...
Conference Paper
The application of computer technology to engineering and manufacturing domains has drastically transformed the way products and systems are designed and produced. However, a major drawback of CAD/CAM/CAE systems is the steep learning curve required to understand and master their extensive and increasingly complex set of functionalities. In this pa...
Article
Full-text available
This paper describes the implementation and testing of our concept of adaptable rubrics, defined as analytical rubrics that arrange assessment criteria at multiple levels that can be expanded on demand. Because of its adaptable nature, these rubrics cannot be implemented in paper formats, neither are they supported by current Learning Management Sy...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Presentation done at the Model-Based Enterprise Summit 2017, summarizing some results of the ANNOTA project.
Article
Full-text available
A new taxonomy of issues related to CAD model quality is presented, which distinguishes between explicit and procedural models. For each type of model, morphologic, syntactic, and semantic errors are characterized. The taxonomy was validated successfully when used to classify quality testing tools, which are aimed at detecting and repairing data er...
Article
As part of a strategy for creating 3D models of engineering objects from a sketched input, we attempt to identify mirror symmetry planes early in the process. Our input is a 2D line-drawing derived from a single view sketch of a polyhedral shape, and suitable cues are used to identify mirror symmetry planes algorithmically. Previous attempts to sim...
Article
Full-text available
CAD model quality in parametric design scenarios largely determines the level of flexibility and adaptability of a 3D model (how easy it is to alter the geometry) as well as its reusability (the ability to use existing geometry in other contexts and applications). In the context of mechanical CAD systems, the nature of the feature-based parametric...
Article
Evaluation rubrics are helpful as formative tools to convey quality criteria from the beginning of the training period of future mechanical CAD users. But rubrics should provide feedback and evolve dynamically to adapt to different learning paces. Computer-Assisted Assessment (CAA) tools can easily provide automatic feedback, although they are some...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Fitting the strokes of a sketch into geometrical primitives is still an open problem, even for sketches which depict bare line-drawings without annotations. Such sketches comprise only discrete strokes, sequences of points obtained between a pen down and a pen up. It is commonly accepted that the best perceptual fittings depend on the context. Henc...
Article
Fitting elliptical arcs to strokes of an input sketch is discussed. We describe an approach which automatically combines existing algorithms to get a balance of speed and precision. For measuring precision, we introduce fast metrics which are based on perceptual criteria and are tolerant of sketching imperfections. We return a likelihood estimate b...
Article
This paper describes an approach to convey quality-oriented strategies to CAD trainees by embedding quality criteria into rubrics so as to force CAD trainees to understand them early in their instruction. To this end, the paper analyzes how CAD quality criteria can be organized around quality dimensions and embedded into rubrics in order to enforce...
Conference Paper
We seek to detect the vanishing points implied by design sketches of engineering products. Adapting previous approaches, developed in computer vision for analysis of vectorised photographic images, is unsatisfactory, as they do not allow for the inherent imperfection of sketches. Human perception seems not to be disturbed by such imperfections. Hen...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
CAD model reusability is largely determined by a proper communication of design intent, which is usually expressed implicitly within the model. Recent studies have suggested the use of 3D annotations as a method to embed design information in the model’s geometry and make part of the design knowledge explicitly available. In this paper, we evaluate...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
CAD data quality may be leveraged by quality-oriented CAD instructional strategies, but current mechanical CAD practice fails in enforcing quality. The concept of CAD model quality is reviewed to discover how to convey different dimensions of quality through rubrics. The paper describes lessons learned from pilot studies designed to gain knowledge...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
From the perspective of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Design Intent is a term commonly defined as a model’s anticipated behavior once it undergoes alteration (ex. will a cylindrical hole continue to share concentricity with a boundary arc should the dimensions be modified?). At present, a standardized manner in which to explicitly communicate or ded...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
We give a method to obtain a 3D CSG model from a 2D engineering wireframe sketch which depicts a polyhedral shape. The method finds a CSG feature tree compatible with a reverse design history of a 2D line-drawing obtained by vectorising the sketch. The process used seeks the CSG feature tree recursively, combining all design or manu-facturing featu...
Article
Full-text available
We propose the direct production of 3D CSG models from sketches as a way of relieving the user from having to input detailed 3D CAD models. This shortens the CAD/CAM process and simplifies it, allowing non-expert end-users to produce their own designs. Early detection of features in the 2D sketch is a critical step. This paper discusses a general s...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Quality of CAD models is an open problem with an important impact in the manufacturing companies, and new tools aimed at further increasing it are still needed. But, there is also opportunity to get better quality CAD models by "simply" improving the training of new engineers and designers, in order to get better use of current CAD tools. This pape...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
This paper describes an experiment aimed at discovering how humans perceive vanishing points depicted in perspective sketches of engineering shapes. The goal is to find criteria and metrics for an algorithmic approach to replicate human perception of vanishing points. A new approach is required for Sketch-Based Modelling, since most current image a...
Article
We investigate the problem of determining design intent from engineering sketches: what did the designer have in mind when sketching a component? Specifically, we consider the unidirectional reverse mapping from form features, as determined from an input sketch, to design features, representing the design intent present in the designer's mind. We i...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
As part of a strategy for creating 3D models of engineering objects from sketched input, we attempt to identify design features, geometrical structures within objects with a functional meaning. Our input is a 2D B-Rep derived from a single view sketch of a polyhedral shape. In this paper, we show how to use suitable cues to identify algorithmically...
Article
Full-text available
This paper focuses on improving the management of New-Product Development (NPD) processes within the particular context of a cluster of enterprises that cooperate through a network of intra- and inter-firm relations. Ceramic tile design chains have certain singularities that condition the NPD process, such as the lack of a strong hierarchy, fashion...
Article
Full-text available
This position paper describes some open problems of sketch input of engineering Euclidean solid models. After a brief historical introduction, we discuss traditional design using pencil and paper, and how this paradigm has been adapted (or forgotten) by various current approaches to computer interpretation of sketches. We discuss three particular o...
Article
The aim of this work is to determine the influence of multisensory (visual-haptic) integration and the level of interaction (seeing photographs, seeing the actual product, touching it and using it) on the perception of products, including perceived ergonomics. The product selected for the experiment was the hammer, as this will help to establish wh...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
In this paper we present a method for detecting rounds and fillets in engineering sketches and drawings, and automatically generating a D model of the corresponding object, with rounds and fillets applied. This method is useful both as a component of computer-aided sketching tools and in determining de- sign intent—although rounds and fillets are c...
Article
The problem of identifying the topology implied by wireframe drawings of polyhedral objects requires the identification of face loops, loops of edges which correspond to a face in the object the drawing portrays.In this paper, we survey the advantages and limitations of known approaches, and present and discuss test results which illustrate the suc...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
We wish to determine whether design engineers commonly use central projections (convergence of parallel lines to a vanishing point) when sketching new shapes, rather than draw physically parallel lines as parallel. This paper describes a pilot experiment carried out to determine the presence and importance of central projections. Results suggest th...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Natural interfaces for CAD applications based on sketching devices have been explored to some extent. Former approaches used techniques to perform the recognition process like invariant features extracted with image analysis techniques as neural networks, statistical learning or fuzzy logic. Currently, more flexible and robust techniques are being...
Article
Full-text available
Sketching is an established part of engineering culture. Sketches assist product designers during the creative stages of design and help them to develop inventions. Paper-and-pencil sketching is highly useful but lacks functionalities, mainly because it is disconnected from the rest of the (computer-aided) design process. However, CAS tools are not...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
In this paper, we study the segmentation of sketched engineering drawings into a set of straight and curved segments. Our immediate objective is to produce a benchmarking method for segmentation algorithms. The criterion is to minimise the differences between what the algorithm detects and what human beings perceive. We have created a set of sketch...
Article
Full-text available
Conceptual design remains "unplugged" from other computer-aided design tasks. Engineers and designers continue to favor pencil and paper over computerized sketching tools. It has been suggested that one reason for this is the bewilderingly large range of options available to users of CAD tools. The simplicity of pencil and paper, it was argued, is...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
This paper studies ceramic tile design chains, as representative of those collaborative New-Product Development (NPD) processes where the presence of very different origins of designs and the fast changes of the market strongly condition the process. We have studied this particular circumstance by way of what we have called the ldquostimulators and...
Chapter
In this chapter, an approach to create three-dimensional parametric objects using a gesture alphabet has been described. The main objective of this work has been to provide dimensional and geometrical control over the sections in an easy and natural way. The system offers a very simple interface to create parametric sections with an interesting pos...
Article
Explicit descriptions of should-be and to-be activities and processes are key elements in implementing industrial projects aimed at improving new-product development (NPD) processes, especially when e-collaboration utilities are used in a Virtual-Project-Enterprise context (i.e., a project developed in a virtual enterprise). In our work, centred in...
Article
Full-text available
Two competing approaches exist for creating input data for Computer-Aided Engineering applications: stand-alone CAE pre-processors which define both geometric data and attributes, and the combination of CAD applications plus downstream CAE pre-processors. In the CAD-CAE sequence, the former defines the geometric information and the latter adds attr...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
ParSketch is a software prototype to evaluate the usability and functionality of a sketching interface aimed at defining 2D parametric sections. Currently, ParSketch interprets strokes which can be recognized as geometry (line, arc, circle, ellipse, or composed entities that are automatically segmented into those basic entities), or graphic gesture...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
The use of CAD applications with parametric capabilities has not changed some academic obsolete habits based on drawing "as if" rule and compass were still the drawing tools. In this work, it is argued that this is not reasonable, neither in terms of training strategies nor in terms of efficiency. It is also presented a new evaluation approach that...
Article
Full-text available
In this paper we analyze the current role of sketching in engineering design, and its importance as a learning outcome in engineering courses. Then we examine the current disconnection between sketching and CAD tools in the new product development (NPD) process, concluding that recent advances in the field of sketch-based interfaces and modelling (...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
In the last few years, there has been considerable interest in sketch input of 3D solid models. This paper summarises recent developments and discusses the directions these developments are taking. We consider three developments in particular: the move away from line labelling as a technique in recognition of the problem posed by extended vertices;...
Article
The appearance of CAD applications with parametric capabilities has not changed some obsolete academic habits based on drawing as if a ruler and compass were still the tools used for this purpose. In this work, it is argued that this is not reasonable in terms of training strategies or in terms of efficiency. To support this statement, a new method...
Article
Nowadays, consumers do not just look for a functional, usable, safe, and cost-efficient product, but for the emotions and feelings it offers them. Emotional design techniques are being successfully applied to consumer products. This paper presents a work aimed at researching the applicability of emotional design to commercial products, in particula...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Knowledge Management (KM) is a complex objective, especially in the instance of extended enterprises consisting of SMEs, and critical in new product design and development (NPD). The use of patterns is essential to get KM in collaborative NPD processes. This paper presents the use of patterns adopted in the CE-TILE project to standardize informatio...