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Goal of this tutorial
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Training:
Relevant data for this tutorial:
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Step 1: Start MSC Apex Generative Design 2020
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 .x_b, .x_t, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.
Import/create the Design space including the Nondesign spacesin MSC Apex Generative Design 2020. For this Drone a CAD-file was imported.
The CAD-file includes several solids. Thus, only one solid is supported for an optimizationoptimisation, with a Boolean operation the solids can be merged to one. Activate Merge Solids as Cells to create partitions which can be used for Nondesign spaces.
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Create the material in the Materials editor and assign it to the Design space
The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (2350 MPa), Poisson ratio (0.4) and density (1.24e-6 kg/mm3)
After assigning the material to the solid, the material will be part of the model tree on the left side
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Nondesign spaceshave to be selected using the Optimization optimisation Tools. In this case with the direct method all already existing cells (partitions) can be selected (Four engine brackets and the two brackets for battery and control unit)
The Nondesign spaces will change the color colour and are listed up in the model tree
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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 a symmetrical optimization by optimisation using the Advanced User Settings should be doneis carried out. Therefore, the loads are only applied on a quarter (half/quarter/eightheighth…)
The loads will be automatically mirrored through the symmetry planes
Attention: The loads are only allowed to be applied in the positive coordinate direction. More information about how to use the symmetry function here.
Because two symmetry planes will be used only one force is defined on the engine bracket which is located in the positive coordinate quarter:
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction | Value in N |
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Force - Moment | Force on cell | z | -300 |
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Two constraints are created and applied on the two cells (partitions) in the middle.
Name | Direction |
Constraint1 | x, y, z (=0) |
Constraint2 | x, y, z (=0) |
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The displacement constraints are allowed to be applied inside the other coordinate half/quarter/octant unlike loads
All cells with a load or constraint will automatically be a Nondesign space if they weren’t selected before as a Nondesign space!
Step 4: Definition of 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
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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: Medium
Select the Shape Quality: Balanced
Enter the Stress goal : 20 MPa
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Step 6: Adding Advanced User Settings (Symmetry)
Advanced User Settings can be added to each scenario by activating the text field with a right click on the specific scenario.
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In this case the symmetry constraints are added. Therefore, the Advanced User Commands symmetry.zx (symmetry plane XY-YZ) and symmetry.xy (symmetry plane YX-Z) are entered.
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To ensure the model is placed suitable to the global coordinate origin the Transform Tool can be used. If the Model is shifted to the global planes, it can be moved to the global coordinate origin.
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Step 7: Starting the
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optimisation and visualizing the results
Before starting the optimizationoptimisation, a look inside the Generative Design Solver Settings can be useful. (Options-Application Settings-Generative Design Solver)
Here can be chosen between local or remote and GPU or CPU solving. Furthermore, the complexity Complexity value can be changed.
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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 is 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).
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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. Therefore you can create a new scenario.
The Complexitycan be increased for a higher resolution (increased calculation time!)
The Strut Densityinfluences the structures which are formed during optimizationoptimisation
Step
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8: Post Processing: Visualization of Stresses, Displacements & Mass
The legend can be influenced in different ways. You can add and reduce the stress/displacement steps, enlarge different steps and set new minimum and maximum values.
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The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram
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The whole Apex GD project with all results is uploaded here:
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