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For the force input the Clearance Region Tool is used with an offset of 3 mm to ensure that there is enough space around it. Only the faces around the middle of it are chosen, because the rest is already covered with the access regions. The force input is a Retained Volume in this optimisation. It should always be connected to the Design Space via Non-Design Spaces (including Machining Allowances).
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To create the Access Region the Access Region Tool is used again - only this time the “cross section” method
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Click Create Configuration and a GD Configuration will be created
Click Apply Configuration and the tool executes all necessary Boolean Operations
The final Design Space is created
For the next steps hide all the other Parts of the Assembly except for the Design Space. You should also hide the Machining Allowances of the active Design Space to have better access to apply the loads & boundary conditions.
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You can see the included parts of the GD Configuration by double clicking the GD Configuration in the Model Browser
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In this case four forces and one moment are defined. The first two are applied on the retained volume and the last three on the Non-Design Space that is connected to the sensor:
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction | Value in N; Nmm |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 1 | Force on Retained Volume | Fy; Fz | -1000; 1000 |
Force - Moment 2 | Force on Retained Volume | Fx; Fy; Fz | 600; -800; -200 |
Force - Moment 3 | Force on Non-Design Space | Fy | -500 |
Force - Moment 4 | Force on Non-Design Space | Fx; Fy; Fz | 150; -200; -100 |
Force - Moment 5 | Moment on Non-Design Space | Mz | -2000 |
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Three constraints are created and attached on the Non-Design Spaces on the lower side:
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: Definition of load cases
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Select the Strut Density: Medium
Select the Shape Quality: Balanced
Set the Complexity Setting: 1622
Enter theStress Goal: 17 MPa
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The optimisation is finished after 64 iterations (Shape Quality: Balanced).
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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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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You might also be interested in these tutorials:
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