Geometric Analysis and Computation Using Layered Depth-Normal Images for Three-Dimensional Microfabrication

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a direct manufacturing process that provides the ability to fabricate parts with complex shape. Robust geometric computation is essential to deal with the complex geometry. Current geometric computation methods based on the boundary representation (B-rep) explicitly define and compute geometry. However, such approaches lack in simplicity and are prone to robustness problems. In this chapter, a point-based geometric computation method based on the Layered Depth-Normal Image (LDNI) is presented. A set of computation algorithms are developed for this new point-based method, including the conversions between the LDNI and B-rep models, the offsetting and the Boolean geometric operations, etc. A number of test cases has shown the robustness of the developed geometric operations, and a set of Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) applications related to the complex component design and manufacturing has also been explored.