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In the following the final result of the Part Consolidation Tutorial will be modified and a Two-Stage-Optimisation will be performed. In this case an additional strut will be added.
Step 1: Export of the already existing geometry
The first step is to export an already existing geometry. For the Part Consolidation Bracket the last iteration is exported. In general, every previous iteration can serve as a Start Space as well.
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Step 2: Reimport of the already optimised geometry
Now the exported geometry is imported into your MSC Apex Generative Design project.
Attention: The Unit system of the exported design from the Post Processing and the chosen unit system for the import must be the same.
The imported geometry is displayed in your model tree as a new part as a faceted solid.
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Step 3: Creation of an additional strut
With the Sketching and Geometry Tools inside MSC Apex Generative Design an additional strut can be created. First, two planes are placed where the strut is to begin and end. These planes are created with the Sketching Tool by sketching a rectangle on one of the global planes. The Transform Tool enables the user to place the planes on the desired positions.
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The results are two circular surfaces which can be connected to one strut by using the Surface Loft Tool. For this the picking filter on the left side of the tool has to be set to Edges. The result is one strut which is displayed as a solid inside the model tree.
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Step 4: Creation of the Start Space
To create the new Start Space the just created strut and the imported optimised shape can be merged with a Boolean Operation.
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The resulting faceted solid needs to be exported as an STL-file.
Attention: The unit has to be in meters!
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Step 5: Start of the optimisation with the modified Start Space
In the last step the optimisation can be (re-)started with the new, modified Start Space. Therefore, the previous Scenario can be copied.
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The optimisation starts with the modified geometry as the first iteration. At the end of the optimisation the strut is integrated completely into the design. Because the new strut is now loaded with stresses other areas of the geometry are less loaded. The optimisation reduces the material accordingly at these areas, thus in most cases the new, modified design is as lightweight as the previous one.
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Step 6: Additional options
When a Start Space is used as in this Tutorial, the Start Space is only the starting point of the optimisation and the shape can be further modified by reducing and adding material.
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