In order to reduce development and production costs, the DFG-funded WiToPro project is developing a knowledge-based tolerance allocation system for CNC-milled components. The tolerance analysis, to achieve that goal, relies on a Point Cloud-based model representation. In order to ensure the transferability and generalizability of the method, it is based on a breakdown of the components into standardized geometric form elements such as pockets, holes and profiles.

The aim of this thesis is to develop and implement a methodology that makes it possible to break down a CAD model into the used shape elements. Point clouds representing the surfaces of the individual component sections are then to be derived from the individual form elements. The steps to achieve the goal include:

• Familiarization with the topics of form elements, point clouds and the programming interface of Siemens NX (NXOpen)

• Formulation of requirements for a methodology for the form element-based partitioning of CAD models

• Development and implementation of the methodology

• Verification against the requirements and validation using suitable demonstrator components