Shape Interrogation and Representation by Medial Axis Transform

Objectives:The objective of the proposed work is to investigate the basic properties of a new method of global shape interrogation and representation based on the medial axis transform. The medial axis of a closed curve or surface in two or three dimensional space consists of the centers of all maximal disks of spheres which fit into the domain bounded by the curve or surface. The medial axis and the associated radius function, thereafter called medial axis transform, offer the potential to capture several important global shape features. Such features are useful in automated process lane planning for fabrication of similar components, and in automated idealization and discretization (meshing) of structures necessary in analysis and simulation.