Visualization of Physical Quantities in Space Using Additive Manufacturing and Future Application of Voxel-based 3D Data Format FAV

Abstract

We report on the representation of physical quantities in various three-dimensional (3D) spaces using additive manufacturing (AM), and the use of the next generation 3D fabricatable voxel (FAV) file format in material science. First, early AM principles are detailed, followed by a brief explanation of the standard triangulated language (STL) file format, which is currently used as a global standard. Next, we introduce the 3D modeling of molecular and crystal structures and electron clouds, with specific focus on the expression of physical quantities in 3D spaces using AM. We also show another application example wherein 3D modeling is used to evaluate the airflow over Mt. Fuji. Finally, we propose a future utilization plan for the FAV file format, which has been recently developed and standardized, to compensate for the shortcomings of the STL file format.