USING DEXELS TO MAKE HOLLOW MODELS FOR RAPID PROTOTYPING

This paper presents a simple algorithm for hollowing out a solid CAD m odel. The algorithm employs voxel elements to do the bellowing. Instea d of performing three-dimensional Boolean operations on the solid CAD model, one-dimensional Boolean operations between the ray representati ons of the model and voxel elements are carried out. The ray represent ation of the hollowed model in turn, produces the direct slice files a s output to the rapid prototyping machine. In order to satisfy strengt h considerations, square and honeycomb structures are formed in the ho llowed object. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.