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Goal of this tutorial
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Training:
Relevant data for this tutorial:
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Step 1: Start MSC Apex Generative Design 2020 FP1
The program starts and you can directly create your optimisation model
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Step 2: Model generation
You can either create the geometry directly in MSC Apex Generative Design or import already existing files. You can import .xb, .xt, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.
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For the next steps the Machining Allowances are hidden.
Step 3: Definition of boundary conditions
Go to the Loads & Boundary Condition Tool to enter the loads and fixations. Displacements, Forces, Moments, Gravity and Pressure Loads can be applied using different selection options.
Creation of local coordinate systems to apply forces
For this model one Local Coordinate System needs to be created to easily apply the corresponding force to the model.
By opening the Coordinate Tools a local coordinate system is created by entering the three orientations (alpha = 75°, beta = 90°, gamma = 315°) and placing it on the front plane (coordinate system 1).
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Under Displacement Constraints a “clamped” constraint can be chosen, which locks translations in all three directions. On the left side of the Tool the relevant geometry choice can be selected. In this case the inner surfaces of the Non-Design Spaces are selected to attach the constraints.
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Step 4: Definition of load cases
The next steps are defined in the Studies area.
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Event1: Force-Moment 1, Force-Moment 2, Constraint 1
Event2: Force-Moment 2, Force-Moment 3, Constraint 1
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Step 5: Definition of optimisation parameters and Generative Design Settings
The optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.
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Don’t forget to save the project!
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Adding Advanced User Settings
If on all functional surfaces a Machining Allowance is applied, with the Advances User Settings the automatic growth of Non-Design Spaces can be deactivated with the following command:
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The automatic growth of Non-Design Spaces is activated as the default in case that no Machining Allowances are applied. The automatic growth of Non-Design Spaces can sometimes lead to some issues. More information here.
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Generative Design
You can always change the Strut Density, Stress Goal and Complexityto influence the results and try out different options.
Changing the complexity setting:
By changing the Complexity from 8 GB (left image below) to 20 GB (right image below) the resulting structure changes as well because the optimisation is carried out with a higher resolution. The emerging structure is more detailed and defined, but it also takes more time to get to this result. It depends on the model, the field of application and other non-quantifiable conditions which complexity setting is best suited for the part. We suggest starting with a low Complexity value for the first optimisations and after receiving the results consider whether a higher value is appropriate for the model.
Reduce fixation points vs. Keep all Non-Design Spaces
To realize an optimisation with as much freedom as possible you should disable the Keep Non-Design Spaces function for the six fixations points as well as the constraint created with them. For this to work it is important that all fixation points are fixated in one constraint.
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The result in this example includes all six fixation points (Complexity 8). As shown in the left image the first optimisation reduced one of the fixation points and by choosing the presented function all of the six fixation points are included in the result.
Introducing Event Specific Stress Constraints
To prioritize Events differently, Event Specific Stress Constraints can be placed on single Events. It is also possible to prioritize only one Event. In this case the other event will take the global Stress Goal into consideration for the optimisation.
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It can be seen clearly that the prioritization of the first Events changes the design. The geometry in the left picture shows more material in the structure because of the lower Stress Goal for the first Event. The enveloped stress for both Events shows clearly a gradation between front and back structure. You can also have a look at the stress distribution for each Event separately. By activating the Lock Spectrum Range, the stresses can be compared more easily.
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Step 6: Starting the optimisation and visualize the results
If all data is correct, the optimisation can be started and tracked in the Post Processing. The Analysis Readiness function checks if all information is provided and the optimisation can start.
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The optimisation is finished after 64 iterations (Shape Quality: Balanced).
Step 7: Visualization of Stresses & Displacements
Inside the Post Processing the von Mises stress and the displacements are visible for all iterations
The Scale can be influenced individually
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