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Goal of this tutorial

  • Get to know the optimisation model setup

  • Create different Generative Designs through parameter variation

Bookshelf.jpg

Training:

Relevant data for this tutorial:

View file
nameBookshelf_DesignSpace.x_t

Step 1: Start MSC Apex Generative Design

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 for example .xb, .xt, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.

  • Import/create the Design Space including the Interfaces (Non-Design Spaces) in MSC Apex Generative Design as one solid. For this Bookshelf the already prepared Design Space was imported.

  • Open the Design Space Tool in the Optimization Tools to select the imported Geometry as the Design Space.

  • Create the material in the Materials editor and assign it to the Design Space. In this case the material behaviour is Isotropic.

  • The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (192372 MPa), Poisson ratio (0.3) and Density (7.97e-6 kg/mm3).

  • The Tension Strength is the maximum allowable stress for the material and is set to 320 MPa.

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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.

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Name

Direction

Constraint 1

x, y, z (=0)

Constraint 2

x, y, z (=0)

Constraint 3

x, y, z (=0)

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Step 4: Interface Creation

Interfaces have to be created for every functional surface - so every surface where a boundary condition is applied to. With this Tool an offset to the inside with the input “Non-Design Space Thickness” and an offset to the outside with the input “Machining Allowance” is created. The Offset Distance is expanding the Interface to the set value to create material on front faces.

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Note: Sometimes the Interface Offset (usually displayed in red) is not visualized due to a limitation. The correct value will be considered in the optimisation.

Step 5: Definition of Events (load cases)

The next steps are defined in the Studies area.

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  • Active in Event1: Force-Moment 1, Constraint 1, Constraint 2 and Constraint 3

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Step 6: Definition of optimisation parameters

The optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.

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Don’t forget to save the project!

Step 7: Starting the optimisation and visualizing 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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You can check the status of the optimisation in the GD Status and get more information on Warning and Error messages. This can be done directly in the Post-Processing as well as in the Studies tab for an optimisation that has already run.

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Step 8: Visualization of Stresses, Displacements & Mass

  • Inside the Post-Processing the von Mises stress and the displacements are visible for all iterations and for every Event

  • The Scale can be influenced individually

    Stress_Plot.pngDisplacement_Plot.png
  • The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram

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You can go back to the model setup by clicking the Exit button in the right bottom corner.

Generative Design

  • You can always change the Strut Density, Stress Goal and Complexityto influence the results and try out different options

  • The Complexitycan be increased for a higher resolution and more detailed result (increased calculation time!)

  • The Strut Densityinfluences the structures which are formed during optimisation

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View file
nameBookshelf_2023-3.7z

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