Finite element-based approach to modeling heterogeneous objects

Advances in materials and rapid prototyping technology, makes developing rapid-prototype heterogeneous parts possible. This paper proposes a finite element-based approach for modeling heterogeneous parts to facilitate rapid prototyping. In this approach, traditional geometrical and topological data are blended with materials information in the CAD model. It builds on a CAD system to create parts’ geometry which is then subdivided into a set of tetrahedral finite elements. With this, the design problem of material distribution in the whole body can be handled at the finite element level. The material composition of each point inside a finite element is formulated in terms of four control nodes of the finite element and a blending function. Moreover, design rules for modeling heterogeneous parts are introduced in the paper, making the modeling solution more robust.