Glossary

.SFC (Skyfire CAD format)

ForgeCAD's native file format. Stores the full parametric history tree, named parameters, assembly structure, and metadata. Binary format with Ed25519 signature support.

Assembly

A ForgeCAD document that contains multiple component references joined by mate constraints. Assemblies can be nested (sub-assemblies within assemblies).

B-rep (Boundary Representation)

The geometric model used by ForgeCAD. A solid is represented by its bounding surface — a connected set of faces, edges, and vertices with defined topology and orientation.

BOM (Bill of Materials)

A structured list of every part and sub-assembly required to build a product, with quantities. ForgeCAD maintains a live BOM that updates as the model changes and pushes to ForgeProcure and ForgeOps.

Boolean operation

A set operation on two solid bodies: union (combine), cut (subtract), or intersect (keep overlapping volume). ForgeCAD's Boolean engine is formally tested against 412 edge cases.

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)

The process of generating machine instructions (NC code / G-code) from a 3D model. ForgeCAD includes an integrated 5-axis CAM module.

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Numerical simulation of fluid flow around or through a geometry. ForgeCAD includes a steady-state CFD solver for internal and external flow problems.

Constraint

A geometric rule applied in the sketch solver — coincident, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, equal, symmetric, etc. A fully constrained sketch has zero degrees of freedom.

Digital thread

A continuous, linked data trail from initial design intent through manufacturing to the shop floor. In Forge, a change to a dimension in ForgeCAD propagates through the BOM, the CAM toolpath, and the ForgeMachine job — with full traceability.

Direct modelling

Editing geometry by pushing and pulling faces, edges, and vertices without reference to a parametric history tree. ForgeCAD supports direct modelling alongside parametric features.

FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Numerical simulation of structural behaviour under load. ForgeCAD includes linear static, modal, and thermal FEA solvers.

Feature

A parametric operation in the model history tree — extrude, revolve, fillet, boolean, etc. Features are ordered; later features depend on earlier ones.

Feature tree

The ordered list of parametric operations that define a ForgeCAD model. Editing a feature earlier in the tree rebuilds all subsequent features.

ForgeHub

The event bus that connects all Forge products. Every product publishes events to ForgeHub and subscribes to events it cares about. ForgeHub is the connective tissue of the platform.

G-code

The machine instruction language used by most CNC controllers. ForgeCAD's CAM module generates G-code via post-processors tuned for specific controllers (Fanuc, Haas, Siemens, etc.).

GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)

A system for communicating engineering tolerances on 2D drawings per ASME Y14.5 or ISO 1101. ForgeCAD's drawing module supports full GD&T annotation.

Healing

Automatic repair of imported geometry — closing gaps, removing duplicate faces, fixing surface normals, and resolving self-intersections. Particularly important when importing STEP files from other CAD systems.

IDF (Intermediate Data Format)

An exchange format for PCB layout data used between ECAD and MCAD tools. ForgeCAD imports and exports IDF 2.0 and 3.0 via ForgeSchematics.

Kernel

The core geometry engine — the code responsible for creating, manipulating, and querying B-rep solids. ForgeCAD's kernel is proprietary, formally certified via ForgeCertify, and exposed as a Python package.

Loft

A feature that creates a solid or surface by blending through a series of cross-section profiles. Supports guide curves for shape control.

Mate constraint

A geometric relationship between components in an assembly — coincident faces, concentric axes, parallel planes, etc. Mate constraints define how components move relative to each other.

NC program

A sequence of machine instructions (typically G-code) for a CNC machine tool. Generated by ForgeCAD's CAM module via post-processing.

NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline)

The mathematical representation used for curves and surfaces in ForgeCAD's kernel. NURBS surfaces are defined by control points, weights, and knot vectors.

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)

A manufacturing metric combining Availability × Performance × Quality. ForgeMachine calculates OEE automatically from cycle data — no manual input required.

Parametric

A modelling approach where geometry is driven by named parameters and a history of operations. Changing a parameter value causes the model to rebuild automatically. Compare: direct modelling.

PDM (Product Data Management)

A system for managing design files, revisions, and access control. ForgeCAD Pro includes a PDM vault for storing and versioning .sfc files and associated documents.

Post-processor

A translation layer that converts generic CAM toolpaths into machine-specific G-code for a particular CNC controller. ForgeCAD ships post-processors for Fanuc, Haas, Heidenhain, Siemens, and Mazak.

Rebuild

The process of recalculating a parametric model after a parameter change or feature edit. ForgeCAD rebuilds incrementally — only affected features are recalculated.

Shell

A feature that hollows a solid by removing one or more faces and applying a uniform wall thickness.

Sketch

A 2D profile constrained to a plane or face. Most ForgeCAD features (extrude, revolve, sweep) start from a sketch. A sketch is fully defined when all its geometry is constrained.

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data)

An ISO standard (ISO 10303) for exchanging 3D product data between CAD systems. ForgeCAD supports AP203, AP214, and AP242. Recommended format for external exchange.

Sweep

A feature that creates a solid or surface by moving a cross-section profile along a path curve.

Tolerance

The permissible variation in a geometric dimension. In ForgeCAD: (1) modelling tolerance — the precision of geometric calculations; (2) GD&T tolerance — an annotation on a drawing that specifies allowable variation for manufacturing.

Toolpath

The trajectory a cutting tool follows during a CNC machining operation. Generated by ForgeCAD's CAM module and delivered to ForgeMachine as an NC program.

Topological naming

The mechanism by which ForgeCAD maintains stable references to faces, edges, and vertices as the model is edited. Unstable topological naming (the 'TNP' problem) causes features downstream in the tree to break when geometry changes. ForgeCAD's naming system is formally tested against 19 failure modes.