Constructing medial axis transform of extruded and revolved 3D objects with free-form boundaries

This paper presents an algorithm for generating the Medial Axis Transform (MAT) of 3D objects with free form boundaries that are obtained by extrusion along a line or revolution about an axis. The algorithm proposed uses the exact representation of the part and generates an approximate rational spline description (to within a defined tolerance) of the MAT. The algorithm uses the 2D MAT of the profile being extruded or revolved to identify the limiting entities (junction points, seams and points of extremal maximum curvature) of the 3D MAT. It is shown that the MAT points of the profile face are sufficient to determine the topology and geometry of the MAT of this class of solids. The algorithm works for multiply-connected objects as well. Results of implementation are presented and use of the algorithm to handle general solids is discussed. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.