A new boundary-based morphological model

Mathematical morphology addresses the problem of describing shapes in an n-dimensional space using the concepts of set theory. A series of standardized morphological operations are defined, and they are applied to the shapes to transform them using another shape called the structuring element. In an industrial environment, the process of manufacturing a piece is based on the manipulation of a primitive object via contact with a tool that transforms the object progressively to obtain the desired design. The analogy with the morphological operation of erosion is obvious. Nevertheless, few references about the relation between the morphological operations and the process of design and manufacturing can be found. The non-deterministic nature of classic mathematical morphology makes it very difficult to adapt their basic operations to the dynamics of concepts such as the ordered trajectory. A new geometric model is presented, inspired by the classic morphological paradigm, which can define objects and apply morphological operations that transform these objects. The model specializes in classic morphological operations, providing them with the determinism inherent in dynamic processes that require an order of application, as is the case for designing and manufacturing objects in professional computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) environments. The operators are boundary-based so that only the points in the frontier are handled. As a consequence, the process is more efficient and more suitable for use in CAD/CAM systems

Graphic Thinking and Digital Processes: Three Built Case Studies of Digital Materiality

Think strategic link between computer programming; digital modeling; the data; matter and CNC manufacturing in the various stages of the architectural project is key to update our discipline with new technologies. Our proposal to articulate and digital graphic thought processes; developable folded geometries and compositions is rooted in an expanded graphic thinking through multiple conceptual tools that are already part of the operational structure of our discipline

Morphing Based Approach for Process Planning for Fabrication of Geometries and the Control of Material Composition

The inherent limitation of most of the solid freeform fabrication is the deposition in form of layers. Artificial imposition of the process for the desired geometric morphology and the functional gradience of material limits the accuracy of the workpiece. Mathematical morphing of geometry and the material gradience allows a smooth variation across the part geometry and the material composition of the part. The paper describes a framework for process planning and implementation of fabrication of geometries and control of the material composition. Simulation results for the suggested approach are described in the paper.Mechanical Engineerin

An improved approach for automatic process plan generation of complex borings

The authors are grateful for funding provided to this project by the French Ministry of Industry, Dassault Aviation, Dassault Systemes, and F. Vernadat for his review and recommendations.The research concerns automated generation of process plans using knowledge formalization and capitalization. Tools allowing designers to deal with issues and specifications of the machining domain are taken into account. The main objective of the current work is to prevent designers from designing solutions that would be expensive and difficult to machine. Among all available solutions to achieve this goal, two are distinguished: the generative approach and the analogy approach. The generative approach is more adapted to generate the machining plans of parts composed of numerous boring operations in interaction. However, generative systems have two major problems: proposed solutions are often too numerous and are only geometrically but not technologically relevant. In order to overcome these drawbacks, two new concepts of feature and three control algorithms are developed. The paper presents the two new features: the Machining Enabled Geometrical Feature (MEGF) and the Machinable Features (MbF). This development is the result of the separation of the geometrical and the technological data contained in one machining feature. The second objective of the paper is to improve the current Process Ascending Generation (PAG) system with control algorithms in order to limit the combinatorial explosion and disable the generation of unusable or not machinable solutions

Digital implementation of the cellular sensor-computers

Two different kinds of cellular sensor-processor architectures are used nowadays in various applications. The first is the traditional sensor-processor architecture, where the sensor and the processor arrays are mapped into each other. The second is the foveal architecture, in which a small active fovea is navigating in a large sensor array. This second architecture is introduced and compared here. Both of these architectures can be implemented with analog and digital processor arrays. The efficiency of the different implementation types, depending on the used CMOS technology, is analyzed. It turned out, that the finer the technology is, the better to use digital implementation rather than analog

Automated Design of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds by Advanced CAD

The design of scaffolds with an intricate and controlled internal structure represents a challenge for Tissue Engineering. Several scaffold manufacturing techniques allow the creation of complex and random architectures, but have little or no control over geometrical parameters such as pore size, shape and interconnectivity- things that are essential for tissue regeneration. The combined use of CAD software and layer manufacturing techniques allow a high degree of control over those parameters, resulting in reproducible geometrical architectures. However, the design of the complex and intricate network of channels that are required in conventional CAD, is extremely time consuming: manually setting thousands of different geometrical parameters may require several days in which to design the individual scaffold structures. This research proposes an automated design methodology in order to overcome those limitations. The combined use of Object Oriented Programming and advanced CAD software, allows the rapid generation of thousands of different geometrical elements. Each has a different set of parameters that can be changed by the software, either randomly or according to a given mathematical formula, so that they match the different distribution of geometrical elements such as pore size and pore interconnectivity. This work describes a methodology that has been used to design five cubic scaffolds with pore size ranging from about 200 to 800 µm, each with an increased complexity of the internal geometry.Mechanical Engineerin

Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of concrete products. Revolutionizing and remodeling the construction industry

Additive manufacturing is one of the main topics of the fourth industrial revolution; defined as Industry 4.0. This technology offers several advantages related to the construction and architectural sectors; such as economic; environmental; social; and engineering benefits. The usage of concrete in additive technologies allows the development of innovative applications and complexity design in the world of construction such as buildings; housing modules; bridges; and urban and domestic furniture elements. The aim of this review was to show in detail a general panoramic of extrusion-based additive processes in the construction sector; the main advantages of using additive manufacturing with the respect to traditional manufacturing; the fundamental requirements of 3D printable material (fresh and hardened properties), and state-of-the-art aesthetic and architectural projects with functional properties