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Coordinate system 1 is already created and is the Principal Coordinate System.
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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 | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction (depending on local coordinate system) | Value in N/Nmm |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 1 | Force on faces | z (Point of Application [-10025; 0 ;-1512.5]) | -5000 |
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Force - Moment 2 is applied on the other two surfaces. The point of application of this remote Force can set up by determining a point regarding the global coordinate system.
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction (depending on local coordinate system) | Value in N/Nmm |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 2 | Force on faces | z (Point of Application [-100;0;-15]) | -2000 |
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Force - Moment 3 is applied on the same surfaces like the first Force. This new Load is referring to the local coordinate system created earlier. It can either be selected from the viewport or the model browser using the selection tool or entering the coordinate system ID.
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction (depending on local coordinate system) | Value in N/Nmm |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 3 | Force on faces | x (local coordinate system 12; proposed center is point of application) | 7000 |
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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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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.
Event 1: Force -Moment 1, Force -Moment 2, Constraint 1, Constraint 2, Constraint 3, Constraint 4, Constraint 5 and
Constraint 6Event 2: Force -Moment 2, Force -Moment 3, Constraint 1, Constraint 2, Constraint 3, Constraint 4, Constraint 5 and
Constraint 6
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Step 6: Definition of optimisation parameters and Generative Design Settings
The optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.
Manufacturing Method: Generic AM
Failure Criteria: Von Mises
Strut Density: Medium
Shape Quality: Balanced
Keep Non-Design Spaces: All Constraints and Interfaces 51-10 6 are deactivated
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Don’t forget to save the project!
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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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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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Step 8: Visualization of Stresses & Displacements
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
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You can go back to the model setup by clicking the Exit button in the right bottom corner.
The whole MSC Apex Generative Design project with all results can be downloaded here:
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How the Complexity, Keep-Non-Design Spaces function and Event Specific Safety Factors influence the design is covered in the second part of the Tutorial: Generative Design - GD-Bracket Part 2
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