A physical design grammar: A production system for layered manufacturing machines

This paper addresses the need to generate functionally large geometries/objects for layered manufacturing machines. Novelty is found in the translation from an initial shape in CAD to subdivision as interlocking objects that are further subdivided into slicing layers using traditional layered manufacturing software. Translation from an initial shape to individual component geometry is guided by shape rules as a set grammar that generate a 2D drawing of interlocking shapes. Mechanical rules further shape the 3D geometry of each object, resulting in a virtual model that complies with measures of structural stability, assembly, and machine manufacturing. Three models are constructed to illustrate the translation process from the virtual shape to a manufactured artifact.