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was dowloaded from IP adress 117 248.76.54 on 17/122028 at 14:12First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017), IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
A case study on topology optimized design for additive
manufacturing
AW * and HG Lemu
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science,
University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
*Corresponding author: aboma.w.zebisa(@uis.no
Abstract. Topology optimization is an optimization method that employs mathematical tools to
‘optimize material distribution in a part to be designed. Earlier developments of topology
optimization considered conventional manufacturing techniques that have limitations in
producing complex geometries, This has hindered the topology optimization efforts not to fully
be realized. With the emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, the technology
that builds part layer upon a layer directly from three dimensional (3D) model data of the part,
however, producing complex shape geometry is no longer an issue. Realization of topology
‘optimization through AM provides full design fieedom for the design engincers, The article
focuses on topologically optimized design approach for additive manufacturing with acase study
‘on lightweight design of jet engine bracket. The study result shows thas topology optimization is
1 powerful design technique to reduce the weight of a produet while mainlaining the design
requirements if additive manufacturing is considered
1, Introdus
Topology optimization is a mathematical tool to make optimized material distribution in a part to be
designed. By doing so, it gives us a part topology that is more natural and more complex. There are
different topology optimization approaches developed during the last three decades. For instance, sct
level approach, homogenization method, SIMP method and density approach are among the main
topology optimization techniques [1, 2]. The initial topology optimization developments considered the
conventional manufacturing techniques that are either subtractive or formative, These conventional
‘manufacturing systems have limitations in producing complex shape geometries as they have different
‘manufacturing constraints. The birth of additive manufacturing gave another bright future opportunity
for topology optimization as with additive manufacturing (AM) technologies; producing complex shape
‘geometry is achievable. This is because, in AM, the systems do not require any tooling for producing a
part. For this and other similar capabilities of the technologies, topology optimization and additive
‘manufacturing are considered idcal couples.
To implement AM technology in production of functional parts, advances in materials technology
and design optimization are considered as the key arcas of current rescarch. Regarding the last-
‘mentioned research challenge, a design approach that can directly transfer the design concept of the
engineer to a produced part without any due consideration for manufacturing constraint and enable
‘optimum utilization of the part under loading is sought. If proper and efficient algorithms are developed,
topology optimization techniques can play a key role in the future development of AM technology. This
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Fried nies y OP Pshing ;First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017), IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
case study article is intended to explore the role of topology optimization in AM to design a lightweight
product,
‘The article is structured as follows. Section 2 discusses the basics of topology optimization with its
benefits and the formulation of topology optimization problems. In Section 3, topology-optimized
design for additive manufacturing is discussed considering lightweight product design. Section 4,
claborates the case study considered in the project followed by Section 5 that ends the report by drawing
some conelusions,
2. Topology optimization
In mechanical design problem, there came to exist a structural optimization concept in which the size,
shape and topology of a product are optimized separately or simultaneously. These concepts are very
important to find an optimal size, shape and material distribution during the product development
process. As shown in Figure 1 [3], size optimization deals with the optimization of size of an object
(length, width or depth); whereas shape optimization is to find optimal shape of a part or openings in a
part; while topology optimization deals with optimizing the whole goometry of the part including both
size and shape, In this section, the concept of topology optimization with its benefits and formulation,
‘of topology optimization problems are discussed.
2.1. What is topology optimization?
‘Topology optimization is one of the structural optimization techniques that optimizes the distribution of
‘material within a specified design space for a given loading and boundary conditions while fulfilling the
performance requirements of the product. Most of the topology optimization techniques are carried out
by collective use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) concept, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) concept
and different optimization algorithms in consideration of different manufacturing techniques as shown
‘on the topology optimization process on Figure 2 [4]. The use of CAD in topology optimization is to
make a roughvinitial model of the product to be optimized, whereas FEA is used to sce the distribution
of stresses and displacements throughout the product. The topology optimization is performed to remove
the areas of the part that are not sufliciently supporting the applied loads and not undergoing significant
deformation and thus not contributing to the overall performance of the part.
Based on the design problem requirement, different optimization algorithms are used to remove the
portion of the material in the product that are not supporting the applied load, Moreover, the topology
‘optimization is done to satisfy certain design objectives and maintain the design constraints, Based on
the problem at hand, the objectives might be to minimize the compliance of the part, ic. to maximize
the stiffness of the part, as compliance is the inverse of the stiffness; the constraints could be the
maximum allowable deformation, the maximum mass fraction and so on. The topology optimization
tools generate « complex natural shape that shows the removal of materials based on the objectives and
‘constraints set in the design problem. The design is then finalized on CAD software to get smooth and
‘manufacturable part following the shape generated from the topology optimization process. Ultimately,
the final optimized design is validated using FEA tools to satisfy the design requirements so that the
product meets its overall performance.First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017), IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
- a = ZS
Figure 1. Comparative illustration of size, shape and topology optimization
‘Structural optimization, in gencral, has huge potential benefits in product development process.
‘Topology optimization in particular has the following benefits in the design process
Creating lightweight structures
= Creating ready to manufacture design
= Reducing time-to-market
= Saving huge amount of material
Topolog
Reducing physical test
Saving large amount of processing
Reducing physical prototype build
FBS
opt cote sce
Figure 2. Topology optimization processFirst Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017), IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
2.2. Formulation of topology optimization problem
‘The formulation of topology optimization problem has to be made very carefully as the best solution is
obtained only if the problem is formulated in @ proper way. The following five steps are used in the
formulation of design optimization problem [5]
1. Develop topology optimization problem statement: In this step, the design goal, what to
accomplish by the optimization and set of criteria will be clarified
2. Data and information collection: In this step, all the necessary information are collected,
3. Identification/definition of design variables: In this step, the design variables that deseribe the
system are identified and defined,
4. Identification of a criterion to be optimized: The criteria to evaluate and stop the optimization
process has to be clarified. These criteria are called objective functions, which have to be
‘maximized or minimized depending on problem requirements.
5. Identification of constraints: The restrictions on the problem are identified at this stage. They
are extracted from the resources and performance requirements
Mathematically the optimization problem can be formulated as in equation (1) [6}
Minimize: f(x)
Subject to: g(x) <0, i= 1m
0
yl) =0, j= 1p ‘
deme koha
‘where f(x) is the objective function to be minimized whereas g(x) and h(x) are inequality and equality
constraints respectively. The m and p are the number of inequality and equality constraints respectively;
xis the vector of design variables; n isthe total number of design variables; and x\ and x's are the lower
‘and upper bounds of the k" design variable x, respectively.
43. Topology optimized design for additive manufacturing
Topology optimization is a powerful design approach to save time, material and energy that are not
economically achievable with any other manufacturing process if explored to its maximum by
considering additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D printing) is an
‘emerging manufacturing technology that has the potential to outpace or replace the conventional
‘manufacturing approaches. AM is defined as “process of joining materials to make objects from 3D
model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies ”
[7]. Additive manufacturing technology has unique capabilities; shape complexity (produces any shape
that can be designed), materials complexity (processes multi-material products), hierarchical complexity
(products internal structure ranging from mesoscale to macroscale) and functional complexity (produces
multiple parts as a single functional product) [8]. Topology optimization has started long time ago with
consideration of the existing manufacturing techniques. However, the existing techniques did not benefit
suliciently from this design approach because there are manufacturing constraints for the optimized
designs. The optimized topology could not be produced, as there are limitations on the geometric
complexity to produce with the existing manufacturing techniques
In product development process, lightweight design has huge benefits including reduction in material
consumption, reduction in processing and energy consumption. The potential approach to reduce the
‘weight of a product is to use the topology optimization with additive manufacturing techniques as
reported elsewhere [9-19]. Topology optimization can be employed for new product design or
redesigning ofan already existing product so that lightweight product can be obtained while maintaining
its fmetional requirements. Topology optimized lightweight design can be realized by using different
‘materials internal structures: solid structures or cellular structures. Topology optimization with additive
‘manufacturing is considered to redesign a bracket to reduce its weight from 70 gm to around 42 gm,
which is about 40% reduction [20]. A similar opportunity in re-designing a bracket with more
lightweight that was manufactured using laser additive manufacturing is reported in [21]. These kindsFirst Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017), IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
of geometries are very difficult to manufacture using the traditional techniques but they can be realized
with additive manufacturing.
Designers at ARUP in Netherlands have also explored the opportunity of topology optimization for
additive manufacturing by redesigning a steel node for a tensegrity structure [22]. In their research, they
found out that the topology-optimized design for additive manufacturing could enable the weight
reduction of the node from 20 kg to 5 kg (75% reduction) without compromising the functional and
structural performance of the product. Lightweight topology optimized automotive control arm design
with lattice structure is investigated as another opportunity to be produced using additive manufacturing,
[23],
Itis also reported [24] that, a hip joint implant interior part is topologically optimized and fabricated
using additive manufacturing. The implant part has interior pore that makes it much complex and
unachievable with conventional manufacturing techniques. However, the partis produced with additive
‘manufacturing since the technology made the geometry complexity free. Morcover, it was not possible
to find porous implants that allow the ingrowth of bone and cells if design optimization and additive
manufacturing were not implemented together in the product development process. OptiStruct and
Altair product design team helped RUAG Space Switzerland Zurich to topology optimize an existing
antenna support arm to be produced using additive manufacturing that resulted in half weight reduction
from the old version [25]. Topology optimized cargo sling with 15% volume reduction thus weight
reduction is also another research that demonstrated the potential of topology optimization to make
lightweight design [26}
Figure 3 shows topology optimized design process. First, the original CAD design is drawn in a 3D-
CAD modeling software. The original design is then structurally analyzed with the given loading
conditions to see the stress and displacement distribution. Based on the stress and displacement
distribution, the topology optimization removes material from areas that does not significantly
contribute to carry the applied loads. Based on the topology optimization result the partis remodeled in
CAD software. The new CAD model is then verified with FEA to carry the loads and to satisfy the
design requirements. Ifthe model satisfies the verification physical model verification is done using any
‘of physical prototyping methods. If not the remodeling is done again until verification is done. The final
design is then prepared for the final additive manufacturing. The process is employed in the next section,
case study, to redesign a jet engine bracket to show the potential of topology optimized design for
additive manufacturing,
3 7 Design Verification
Original 3D-CAD Topology Remoding 3D-CAD Fal
> | | |
Mode Opsiization Model Fea Desian
Psa Model
Figure 3. Topology optimized design process
4. Case study
In this study, a jet engine bracket shown in Figure 4 [27] is considered as a case study to show the
potential of topology optimized design approach in reducing the weight of a product if coupled with
additive manufacturing. The original bracket is based on General Electric (GE) design. The bracket is
designed to sustain different loading conditions shown in Figure 5,
4.1. Analysis of the original bracket
Structural finite element analysis is carried out on the original bracket to see the stress distribution in
the part, The contour plots shown in Figure 6 show the von Misses stress distribution for all the load
‘eases in the part, The large areas of the patt that are shown in blue color in the contour plot indicate
inefficient use of material. Itis very likely that these areas of the part need material removal as they
have negligible effect on the performance of the part.First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
4.2. Design optimization
In this study, the bracket is redesigned using topology optimization design approach considering four
loading conditions. The objective of the study is to reduce the weight of the bracket while satisfying all
the design requirements. Altair Hypemesh 14 Optistruct commercial software is employed for the
topology optimization. The design requirements for the engine bracket are listed below [27]
= The optimized geometry must fit within the original part envelope.
= The material was Ti-6Ai-4V with an assumed yield strength of 904 MPa at the service temperature
2°).
= Minimum material feature size (wall thickness): 1.13 mm
= Interface 1: 19 mm diameter pin. The pin was to be considered infinitely stiff for analysis
purposes.
= Interfaces 2-5: 9.5-24 AS3239-26 machine bolt. Nut face 10.287 mm max ID and 14.173 mm
min OD. The bolts were to be considered infinitely stiff
‘The topology optimization is formulated as in equation (2):
Minimize the weighted compliance ie, to maximize the stiffness
Subject to
@
Mass fraction < 30%
‘Minimum feature size >1.13 mm
Figure 4. Original jet engine bracket.First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
sate stale =
Toad Condon’ ead Conaton'®
~
sate Static Torsional
Verte —_ enterine of ev.
oot inross ete
inate
Figure 5. Loading conditions and function description of the engine bracket [27]
Figure 6, FEA of original engine bracketFirst Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
JOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
‘The initial stage ofthe topology optimization is to divide the part into design (green) and non-design
(yellow) spaces as shown in Figure 7. This is to separate the part into two parts; design space, a space
‘on which the topology optimization is carried out and non-design space, a space that has nothing to do
‘with the topology optimization and is unchanged. Furthermore, the non-design space is the part of the
object through which, itis connected to others parts. Both spaces are then meshed using the same tool,
Altair Hypemesh 14 Optistruct commercial software as shown in Figure &, The mesh is done very fine
with element size of 0.25 mm to obtain an even and acceptable materials distribution throughout the
part,
Figure 7. Design (green) and non-design (yellow) spaces
Figure 8. Meshing of the engine bracket
All the loading conditions and the constraints are then applied on the part through the non-design
spaces. The loads are applied separately on the part through the two horizontal hole surfaces defined as
non-design spaces as shown on Figure 9 to make the part ready for optimization. The torque is applied
as two equivalent force couples in different directions as there was a problem in the software to apply &
torque.
‘The topology optimization tool computes the stress and displacement distribution on the part for all
the loads separately. Based on the stress and displacement distribution, parts that are supporting less
load or not significantly contributing to support the load are removed resulting ina very natural geometry
shown in Figure 10 (left). As optimized the geometry is a very natural rough geometry showing the
‘optimized material layout throughout the part. Since the initial optimized geometry from the tool isFirst Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
JOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
rough and does not look good aesthetically, remodelling of the partis important. The final design is then
prepared on Autodesk Inventor Professional following the topology optimization as closely as possible
as shown in Figure 10 (righ
~*~
Tne 42750 Torque ule ore 19107.68
Figure 9. Loads applied on the engine bracket.
Figure 10. Topology optimized geometry: as optimized (left) and remodelled final part (right).
‘The newly designed part will have to sustain the same mechanical load while fulfilling the same
design requirements. The final design has to be verified with the given design criteria that is the yield
strength. The von Misses stress values forall the load cases should not exceed the yield strength. The
structural verification analysis is done on ANSYS R17 Academie Educational tool. As shown in Figure
1 the von Misses stresses forall the cases are below the yield strength of the material. The final design
satisfies the yielding condition with safety factor from 1.11 to 2.17. The final design is additive
‘manufactured using fused deposition modelling (FDM) Fortus 450 from Stratasys for the physical
design verification as shown in Figure 12. The final design resulted in 65% weight reduction, which is
from 2,067 kg original part to 0.72 kg final one.First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
Figure 11. Final engine bracket design stress verification contour plots.
Figure 12. Additive manufactured final engine bracket design.
5. Conclusion
From the case study, it can be concluded that, topology optimization is @ powerful design concept to
reduce the weight of structural products. The reduction of weight saves huge amount of material and
processing energy thus huge amount of money. It also shows that the capability of topology optimization
can be fully utilized with additive manufacturing techniques, as the manufacturing constrains in the
conventional methods are no longer available. From the case study result, which is 65% weight
reduction, it can also be concluded that topology optimized design for additive manufacturing can reduce
huge portion of the mass thus result in lightweight design.First Conference of Computational Methods in Offshore Technology (COTech2017) IOP Publishing
TOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 276 (2017) 012026. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/276/1/012026
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