Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of forming a stochastic structure, the method comprising the steps: selecting a parent structure, the parent structure defining an array of unit cells, initially the array of unit cells is uniform, defining each unit cell of the array of unit cells a size, a geometry, a relative density and at least one node, placing an implicit function of an object or part of an object at each node, wherein the object having parameters to define its position xc_n, yc_n, zc_n, and extent rx_n, ry_n, and rz_n or a shape defined by an equation having at least the parameters x, y and z, randomising any one or more of the parameters by applying a statistical distribution, the statistical distribution having a standard deviation σ, the standard deviation σ controls at least one of the three dimensions where random values of each parameter are created and selecting a value greater than zero of the standard deviation σ to define the degree of randomisation for any one or more of the parameters, thereby creating a randomised array of unit cells representative of the stochastic structure wherein the randomised array of unit cells forms three-dimensional volume data comprising iso-surfaces, the method comprising rendering the iso-surfaces with polygons having faces and vertices to form a solid model of the stochastic structure and optionally printing the stochastic structure in an additive manufacturing process.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim