Reference Based Geometric Modeling for Heterogeneous Objects

• Published in: Computer-aided design and applications 2012-01, Vol.9 (2), p.155-165
• Main Authors: Gupta, Vikas, Kasana, K. S., Tandon, Puneet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: gradient reference; heterogeneous objects; material distribution function
• ISSN: 1686-4360; 1686-4360
• DOI: 10.3722/cadaps.2012.155-165

Heterogeneous Object (HO) is a blend of two or more materials with different characteristics with or without any specific boundary interface. Material properties of such objects are controlled according to the defined functional requirement. Some of the rapid prototyping processes can fabricate such objects but require both geometric and material distribution information in a related CAD model. Developed 'Gradient Reference' based approach has capability to represent such information for geometric modeling and fabrication of HO. The approach introduces the concept of gradient references and boundary enclosures to distribute the material in the heterogeneous object domain. A system structure integrating different modules is described to produce required CAD data for rapid prototyping of HO. The proposed model is extended to implement a user defined material distribution function in an object and properties at different locations in an HO are defined accordingly. In the current work, a sub-division algorithm is proposed to incorporate the material information in conjunction with geometric model for fabrication of HO. The algorithm incorporates distance and blending functions for smooth material distribution in the heterogeneous object domain. Finally, some heterogeneous objects are modeled using gradient reference approach.