Hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic modeling apparatus

A high-accuracy three dimensional cutting apparatus for duplication terrain into a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model, comprising:

• a data translator for translating topographic and cartographic data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographic model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours along each of such cross-section planes;
• at least one milling device for milling an object so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model;
• and
• a multi-axis driving device with the milling device being operatively mounted so as to move in response to the series of adjacent two-dimensional contours.

A hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for duplication terrain into a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model, comprising:

• a computer;
• a multi-axis cutting machine for cutting an object into a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model, the cutting machine having a cutting tool for cutting material from the object and a driving device for driving the cutting tool in multiple axes in and around the object to be cut;
• and
• a computer readable medium containing an algorithm for converting the topographic and cartographic data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographic model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two dimensional contours in each of the cross-section planes, and an algorithm for controlling the multi-axis cutting machine.

A computer program product for controlling a high-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for duplicating terrain into a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model, comprising:

• a data translating module for translating the topographic and cartographic data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the terrain to be modeled and sequentially to a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes;
• a cutting module for controlling a cutting device formed to cut an object so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model;
• and
• a multi-axis driving module for controlling a driving device operatively connected to the cutting device so as to move the cutting device along the two-dimensional contour of each of the cross-section planes.

A computer-implemented method for duplication terrain into a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model, comprising:

• providing a computer and a multi-axis cutting device;
• translating via the computer topographic and cartographic data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographic model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes;
• and
• driving a multi-axis cutting device to cut an object in response to the two-dimensional contours of the cross-section planes so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographic model.

An automated system for producing a hi-accracy three-dimensional topographical map based on three-dimensional topographical data pertaining to an actual geographical area, comprising:

• data convertor means for converting said data pertaining to an actual geographical area into a 3D topgraphical map scale in accordance with data pertaining to the scale of cartographic image content;
• topographic-data translator means for translating said data pertaining to the three-dimensional topography of an actual geographical area and said 3D topographical map scale into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes and a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours wherein each plane of said series of cross-section planes incorporates one contour of said series of adjacent two-dimensional contours;
• cutting means for cutting said hi-accuracy 3D topographical map based on said series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes and said series of adjacent two-dimensional contours;
• and
• a multi-axis driving device for driving the cutting means so as to move in response to each two-dimensional contour of the plurality of cross-section planes.