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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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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.
All surfaces on which a boundary condition is applied can be selected directly as an interface with the “Select Faces from Loads and Boundary Conditions” button. The Boundary Condition surfaces will be highlighted and can be selected/deselected. With “Apply” the Non-Design Space Thickness, Machining Allowance and if available Offset Distance values will be applied to the selected surfaces.
Three Interfaces are created to insert screws and fixate the Bookshelf to the wall. Therefore, an Non-Design Space Thickness of 2 mm and a Machining Allowance of 1 mm is entered. Because not only the inner faces touching the screw but also the front and back face are supposed to contain material and have sharp, functional faces, an Offset Distance of 3 mm is entered. All Constraints are selected in the table and the settings are applied.
One Interfaceis created on the top plate to use this as the book storage. Therefore, an Non-Design Space Thickness of 1mm and a Machining Allowance of 1mm is entered. Now select the top plate and confirm the selection (MMB).
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All boundary conditions must be assigned to the specific load cases, which are defined as Events. The number of Eventscan be changed by adding/deleting Eventsto the GD Scenario. The assignment of the boundary conditions to the Eventscan be made in the Loads & Constrains Window. The already created loads and constraints that concern the Design Space are listed in this window and can be activated for each Eventindividually.
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Manufacturing Method: Generic AM
Failure Criteria: Von Mises
Stress Goal: 2 MPa (Safety Factor: 338)
You can switch between the Safety Factor and Stress Goal in the properties panel by clicking the gear wheel.Strut Density: Medium
Shape Quality: Balanced
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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
The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram
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The whole MSC Apex Generative Design project with all results can be downloaded here:
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You might also be interested in these tutorials:
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