Method and apparatus for manufacturing objects having optimized response characteristics

A computer-implemented method for determining manufacturing parameters for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

• creating a geometric model of said object in a computer;
• generating a computerized mathematical model of said object by discretizing said geometric model of said object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of said elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at said nodes;
• calculating a material property matrix [k] based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x};
• extracting material property coefficients from said material property matrix [k] for each finite element in said computerized mathematical model;
• comparing the extracted material property coefficients to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials;
• determining manufacturing parameters corresponding to the matched material property coefficients;
• and
• generating machine control instructions for controlling a machine to manufacture the object in accordance with the manufacturing parameters.

A computer-implemented method for determining the material properties of an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to field {f} applied thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

• creating a geometric model of said object in a computer;
• generating a computerized mathematical model of said object by discretizing said geometric model of said object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of said elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at said nodes;
• calculating a material property matrix [k] based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x};
• extracting material property coefficients from said material property matrix [k] for each finite element in said computerized mathematical model;
• and
• comparing the extracted material property coefficients to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials.

A machine for determining the manufacturing parameters of an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto, comprising:

• designing means for designing a geometric model of said object;
• generating means for generating a computerized mathematical model of said object by discretizing said geometric model of said object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of said elements, wherein values of the field {f} and the potential {x} are specified at said nodes;
• calculating means for calculating a material property matrix [k] based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x};
• extracting means for extracting material property coefficients from said material property matrix [k] for each finite element in said computerized mathematical model;
• comparing means for comparing the extracted material property coefficients to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials;
• and
• determining means for determining manufacturing parameters corresponding to the matched material property coefficients.

A machine for determining the material properties of an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto, comprising:

• designing means for designing a geometric model of said object;
• generating means for generating a computerized mathematical model of said object by discretizing said geometric model of said object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of said elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at said nodes;
• calculating means for calculating a material property matrix [k] based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x};
• extracting means for extracting material property coefficients from said material property matrix [k] for each finite element in said computerized mathematical model;
• and
• comparing means for comparing the extracted material property coefficients to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials.

A method for manufacturing an object for which a defined field {f} generates a potential {x} in response thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

• (1) generating a computerized mathematical model of the object by discretizing a geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of each of the finite elements;
• (2) specifying values of the field {f} and the potential {x} for each of the nodes;
• (3) calculating a material property matrix [k] based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x}, wherein the material property matrix [k] comprises a plurality of values each corresponding to one or more material property coefficients;
• (4) comparing each of the plurality of values in the material property matrix [k] to a known material property and, responsive to a match, selecting a corresponding manufacturing process parameter;
• and
• (5) controlling a manufacturing machine in accordance with the selected manufacturing process parameters.