...
Input Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
UpSampleConfig fOptimizer_switchAddRemove=58 | Starting with iteration 58, elements are either added or removed and only every second iteration is saved. This is important for the iterations near to the end of the optimizationoptimisation. |
iteration .level_3=20 .level_2=20 .level_1=20 .level_0=4 | Specify how many iterations are calculated at which resolution level. Note that convergence should be achieved at each level. Default settings medium: 20, 20, 20, 4 Default settings sparse: 16, 40, 4, 4 Default settings dense: 10, 10, 40, 4 |
Optimizer_stressPercentGoal .level_3=30 .level_2=40 .level_1=90 .level_0=100 | The percentage at which the target stress is reached is set. Default settings medium: 30, 40, 90, 100 Default settings sparse: 60, 90, 95, 100 Default settings dense: 10, 25, 50, 100 |
...
To set up these additional parameters, the Input Commands (left side of the table) need to be added to the optimization optimisation model in the Advanced User Settings Text Field. In the picture below an example is shown. By adding these Advanced User Settings, the first (coarse) resolution level will be skipped and the optimization optimisation starts directly at the second level. You might want to add more iterations to the remaining levels to give the optimization optimisation the chance to reduce the material accordingly. Especially level 2 can use more iterations in this case.
...
With the Advanced User Settings a Restart is possible. A Start Space needs to be chosen with which the optimization optimisation will re/start.
Therefore, an already optimized optimised STL-file is needed as Start Space. This can be exported directly from the post processing and and be selected as a Start Space by clicking on the browse button. Therefore, the unit of the exported STL-file needs to be in meters (SI-Units). In most cases the Strut Density and Shape Quality settings must be changed as well using the Advanced User Settings. For a restart the same resolution level and number of to be completed iterations have to be filled in.
This way a two-stage optimization optimisation is also possible. For a two-stage optimization optimisation the resolution level and number of iterations must be chosen wisely and will need some fine tuning.
...
With the Advanced User Settings a symmetrical result can be realized. Therefore, the geometry and the boundary conditions have to statisfy satisfy some conditions:
The geometry needs to be symmetrical
The boundary conditions need to be symmetrical
The loads have to be applied only on a half/quarter/eighth of the part. They will be automatically mirrored and considered through the symmetry planes. Forces have to be applied on volumes/cells.
Attention: The loads are only allowed to be applied in the positive coordinate direction (positive cooridnate coordinate half/quarter/octant)
The displacement constraints are allowed to be applied on a volume/cell that goes beyond the symmetry plane to the other coordinate half/quarter/octant unlike loads
The geometry needs to be located in the global coordinate origin
...
The symmetry constraint might not show exactly symmetrical designs while choosing the calculation type “Preview”. This is because of the low resolution level but will not occur once the calculation type is set to “Balanced” or “Fine Tune” and the optimization optimisation runs through.
Hint: Only a half, a quarter or an eighth of the model will be calculated. Thus, only a half, a quarter or an eighth of the calculating resources are needed.
...
Intersection
Intersections between optimization optimisation results and the Design space are needed to create the final, manufacturable design. This ensures all functional sharp edges are available and the generative designed part is inside the boundary limits.
An intersection can be done after the optimization optimisation in the Apex user interface. Further information here.
Another option to create intersections automatically and simultaneously with the optimization optimisation is to use the Advanced User Settings. Therefore, the following export command has to be added to the text field:
...