A systematic approach based on voxel modelling and APDL analysis for Functional-Graded-Material objects

With the development of additive manufacturing (AM), the Functional-Graded-Material (FGM) objects have gained great popularities and research interest in the past few decades. However, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of FGM objects are generally regarded as two separate domains. Such a separation causes that it is cumbersome for engineers to exchange the necessary information in the design process. In this paper, a systematic approach based on voxel modelling and ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) analysis for FGM objects is presented. Integrated solution to modelling and property analysis of FGM objects are gained to manufacture FGM objects. Traditional CAD file is imported to the proposed software (FGMD), then designer can choose heterogeneous features in FGMD. Finally, FGMD can output an APDL file which can be used for property analysis. Several examples show the validity of the systematic approach. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)