To start an optimization either a geometry can be imported or created with the MSC Apex Modeler. In the following the geometry generation for the Bookshelf with the MSC Apex Modeler is explained step by step:
With the Geometry Create Tools many different sketching tools can be selected. To create the design Design space for the generative design Bookshelf the polyline tool is needed. To create a sketch a plane (in this case y- z-plane) must be selected.
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After finishing the sketch, the tool can be closed
The sketch automatically converts into a surface
With the Push/Pull tool a 3D geometry is generated
In this case the surface is pulled by 150 mm
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To create void Void spaces another sketch is needed
Therefore the center point circle tool is chosen from the sketching tools and the surface of the 3D geometry as the new sketching plane
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After closing the tool three new surfaces are created
With the Push/Pull tool the surfaces are selected and pushed completely through the 3D geometry
This results in holes inside the geometry which are void Void spaces
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To create bolts for the fixation of the bookshelf the void Void spaces are used as a starting point. They are extended using a new sketch on the same plane with slightly bigger circles with a radius of 8 mm
This time the new created surfaces are pushed only 130 mm inside the geometry
This creates sections which can be later used as nondesign Nondesign spaces
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Another option to create void Void spaces is to generate new solids and to subtract them with a Boolean operation from the already existing solid
Finally With these steps the Design space for a Bookshelf is created and the optimization model setup can start which is described here.
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