Dexel

The term Dexel has two common uses: Dexel ("depth pixel") is a concept used for a discretized representation of functions defined on surfaces used in geometrical modeling and physical simulation, sometimes also referred to as multilevel Z-map. Dexel is a nodal value of a scalar or vector field on a meshed surface. Dexels are used in simulation of manufacturing processes (such as turning , milling or rapid prototyping), when workpiece surfaces are subject to modifications. It is practical to express the surface evolution by dexels especially when the surface evolution scale is very different from the structural finite element 3D model discretization step (e.g. in machining the depth of cut variation is often several orders of magnitude smaller (1–10 µm) than the FE model mesh step (1 mm)).