Local Composition Control in Solid Freeform Fabrication

这项研究项目解决了广泛探索局部成分控制(LCC)潜力的主要障碍-部件内成分的表示和设计所需的信息路径，以及通过实体自由形式制造(SFF)实现的信息路径。人们希望，支持本地成分控制的信息路径的开发将为设计师提供充分探索这一有趣能力所需的途径。SFF技术的一大潜在优势是能够控制部件的内部成分，这是传统机械制造工艺所不具备的能力。虽然一些引人注目的应用，如药物输送装置和镜片，通过局部控制折射率发挥作用，但很可能在很大程度上尚未开发。这项拟议的工作设想了一套组合设计特征，设计师可以单独使用或组合使用，以指定复杂组件的组合。每个组合设计功能将直接与设计的几何图形相关，通常依赖于用户交互来指定几何图形的关键方面。例如，特征可以指定子卷的组成或子卷之间的组成转换。构图设计特征背后的表现形式将是分析性的，因此是简洁的。只要有可能，该项目的工作将保持一般适用于SFF技术。在必须选择特定工艺来集中工作的地方，三维打印将被用作典型的SFF技术。3D打印非常适合本地构图控制，因为可以通过多个喷墨喷嘴打印多种材料，从而实现真正的3D构图控制。

This research project addresses the central impediment to the wide-spread exploration of the potential of Local Composition Control (LCC) - the information pathway required for the representation and design of composition within a component and its realization by Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF). It is hoped that the development of an information pathway to support Local Composition Control will provide designers with the access they need to fully explore this intriguing capability. One of the great potential benefits of SFF technology is the ability to control the internal composition of components, a capability not shared by conventional mechanical manufacturing processes. While several compelling applications such as Drug Delivery Devices and Lenses which function by local control of the index of refraction, are under development, it is likely that the potential is largely untapped. The proposed work envisions a suite of Composition Design Features which the designer can use singly or in combination, to specify the composition of complex components. Each composition design feature will relate directly to the geometry of the design, often relying on user interaction to specify critical aspects of the geometry. For example, features can specify the composition of sub-volumes or the transition of composition between sub-volumes. The representations underlying the composition design features will be analytic and therefore concise. Wherever possible, the work on this project will be kept generically applicable to SFF technologies. Where a specific process must be chosen to focus the work, Three Dimensional Printing will be used as the prototypical SFF technology. 3D Printing is well suited to local composition control as multiple materials may be printed through multiple inkjet nozzles, thereby achieving true 3-D composition control.