Parallel GPU Algorithms for Interactive CAD/CAM Operations

We have developed hybrid CPU/GPU algorithms that utilize the GPU to accelerate Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) operations and facilitate interactive control and feedback to the designer. Our GPU accelerated algorithms helps the designer in performing modeling operations like direct sketching and interactive trimming on Non Uniform Rational BSpline (NURBS) surfaces in real-time. We have also effectively utilized the GPU to accelerate core modeling operations such as ray intersections and surface-surface intersections (SSIs). These operations are fundamental in many CAD/CAM applications such as Boolean operations and tool path generation. We have obtained more than 50 times speed improvements over traditional CPU implementations by using the GPU algorithm.