Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 67).

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 54).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1991. / "June 1991." Includes bibliographical references (p. 266-273).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, June 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1964. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 78-81).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1967. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Several of the methods of numerical taxonomy are compared and shown to be variants of a tripartite grouping procedure associated with a generalised intercluster similarity function involving ten computational parameters. Clustering by the techniques of hierarchic fusion, monothetic division and iterative relocation is obtained using different arithmetic combinations of the function parameters to both compute similarities and effect changes in cluster membership. The combinatorial solution for Ward's method is found, and the centroid sorting combinatorial solution is extended for size difference, shape difference, dispersion and dot product coefficients. It is suggested that clusters are characterised more by the choice of similarity criterion than by the choice of method, and it is demonstrated that some common criteria such as distance and the error sum of squares are inclined to force spherical 'minimum-variance' classes. These are contrasted by 'natural' classes, which correspond to closed density surfaces defined for a multi-variate sample space by the underlying probability density function. A method for mode-seeking is developed from this probabilistic model through various theoretical and experimental phases, and it is shown to perform slightly better than iterative relocation with the minimum-variance criteria using several Gaussian test populations. A fast algorithm is proposed for the solution of the Jardine-Sibson method for generating overlapping classes, and it is observed that this technique finds natural classes and is closely related to the probabilistic model. Some aspects of computational procedures are discussed, and in particular, it is proposed that a generalised system involving a statistical language, conversational mode package and program suite could be developed from a basic subroutine system. Paging and simulation techniques for the organisation of direct-access data files are suggested, and a comprehensive package of computer programs for cluster analysis is described.

Prototyping is an essential step in the manufacture of many objects, both consumer and industrial. A fundamental step in this process is the definition of the three dimensional form of the object shape; for example, a designer's models created in clay or wood. A three dimensional vision system (range sensor) offers the advantage of speed in defining shapes compared to traditional tactile sensing. In this thesis, the viability of using range sensors is demonstrated by developing a rapid prototyping system comprised of a laser-based range sensor and software that creates a computer model of the object. One particularly important application of the computer model is for the generation of a control program, or toolpath, for a computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machine tool. This is an important application in mold and die manufacture and mold manufacture for automobile components from full scale models. The computer model can also be incorporated into computer aided design and analysis programs. The most suitable vision system, for rapid prototyping applications, has been selected from a group of available sensors and integrated with a coordinate measuring machine that acts as a translation system. The range data produced have been utilised in a multi-patch surface modelling approach in order to model objects where many types of surface patches, such as quadric and free form, are blended together on one object. This technique has been demonstrated to provide accurate and smooth surface reconstructions that are suitable for generating CNC toolpaths. The viability of machining from multiple surface patch models has been demonstrated and, in addition, a new technique for the machining of free form surfaces developed. An alternative method for fully defining complex three dimensional shapes employing a rotary sensing of the object is also presented that permits the efficient generation of CNC machine toolpaths. / Graduate