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The program starts and you can directly create your optimization 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.
Import/create the Design space including the Nondesign spacesin MSC Apex Generative Design 2020 as one solid. For this Bookshelf the already prepared Design space was imported.
Create the material in the Materials editor and assign it to the Design space
The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (210e3 MPa), poisson Poisson ratio (0.3) and density (7.8e-6 kg/mm3)
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Nondesign spaceshave to be selected using the Optimization optimisation Tools. In this case the top plate is created as a Nondesign space with an offset of 3 mm and the three screw holes are being used and a Nondesign space with an offset of 2 mm is created for each.
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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.
In this case one force is defined (on the upper surfacetop plate):
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction | Value in N |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 1 | Force on cell | z | -1000 |
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Three constraints are created and attached on the Nondesign spaces:
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
The next steps are defined in the Studies area.
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 Meshless Generative Design 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.
Active in Event1: Force-Moment 1, Constraint 1, Constraint 2 and Constraint 3
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Step 5: Definition of
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optimisation parameters
The optimization optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.
Select the Strut Density (Thickness): Medium (normal)
Select the Shape Quality (Calculation Type): Balanced (optimizing)
Enter the Stress Goal (Maximum Stress): 2 MPa
Don’t forget to save the project!
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Step 6: Starting the
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optimisation and visualizing the results
If all data is correct, the optimization optimisation can be started and tracked in the Post Processing. The Analysis Readiness function checks if all information are provided and the optimization optimisation can start.
All result iterations are displayed as soon as they are available. Furthermore, you are able to stop the optimization optimisation in this selection area. However, a restart is not directly possible.
The optimization optimisation is finished after 64 iterations (Shape Quality: Balanced (Calculation type: Optimizing)).
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Generative Design
You can always change the Strut Density (Design Type), Maximum Stress Goal and Complexity (SolverMaxMemory) to influence the results and try out different options
The Complexity (SolverMaxMemory) can be increased for a higher resolution (increased calculation time!)
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The Strut Density (Design Type) influences the structures which are formed during optimizationoptimisation
The optimizations optimisations below show the influence of the Strut Density (Design Type) when nothing else is changed.
Strut Density: Medium (Design Type: Normal)
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Strut Density: Dense (Design Type: Filigree)
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Strut Density: Sparse (Design Type: Massive) → one Fixation was sorted out by the optimization algorithm because it was not necessary to reach the goal of the optimization!
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Step 7: Visualization of Stresses, Displacements & Mass
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The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram
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You might also be interested in these tutorials:
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