A topological hierarchy-based approach to layered manufacturing of functionally graded multi-material objects

• Published in: Computers in industry Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 349 - 363
• Main Authors: Choi, S.H., Cheung, H.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.06.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Applied sciences; Artificial intelligence; CAM; Comparative analysis; Computer aided manufacturing; Computer science; control theory; systems; Control theory. Systems; Exact sciences and technology; Functionally graded; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Layered manufacturing; Multi-material; Pattern recognition. Digital image processing. Computational geometry; Physics; Process control. Computer integrated manufacturing; Prototypes; Rapid prototyping; Software; Software engineering; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Studies; Topological hierarchy; Topology; Virtual prototyping; Virtual reality; Topological hierarchy; Functionally graded; Virtual prototyping; Layered manufacturing; Multi-material; Solid solid interface; Layer manufacturing; Topology; Voxel; Virtual reality; Rapid prototyping; Chemical composition; Tridimensional image; Material testing; Localization
• ISSN: 0166-3615; 1872-6194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compind.2009.01.008

This paper presents an approach based on topological hierarchy to representation and subsequent fabrication of functionally graded multi-material (FGM) objects by layered manufacturing. The approach represents an FGM object by material control functions and discretisation of slice contours. Based on the topological hierarchy of slice contours, material control functions are associated with contour families of some representative layers across the X– Y plane and along the Z-plane. The material composition at any location is calculated from the control functions, and the slice contours are discretised into sub-regions of constant material composition. The discretisation resolution can be varied to suit display and fabrication requirements. In comparison with pixel- or voxel-based representation schemes, this approach is computationally efficient, requires little memory, and facilitates fabrication of large and complex objects, which can be assemblies of FGM and discrete materials. The proposed approach has been incorporated with a virtual prototyping system to provide a practical and effective tool for processing FGM objects.