Heterogeneous Object Design: An Integrated CAX Perspective

Abstract

CAD modeling, analysis of properties and fabrication of heterogeneous objects have been extensively studied in the past few decades. Conventionally these topics are separately investigated in CAD, CAE and CAM communities. Such explicit separations, however, suffer from some apparent limitations. This article presents an alternative scheme to consider the heterogeneous object design problem in an integrated CAX (CAD/CAE/CAM) framework. The motivation is to design heterogeneous objects which not only look right, but also functionally work right. In addition to the data representation, model constructions and visualizations, other considerations such as data communications to and from CAE/CAM modules, fabrication efficiency in layered manufacturing etc., are also considered. The presented CAX based design method facilitates design tools integration and enhances the interoperability in the entire design process.