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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 optimisation, 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 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 colour and are listed up in the model tree
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In this case a symmetrical optimisation using the Advanced User Settings is carried out. Therefore, the loads are only applied on a quarter (half/eighth…)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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!
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The 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)
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Here can be chosen between local or remote and GPU or CPU solving. Furthermore, the Complexity value can be changed.
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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 optimisation
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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 is uploaded here:
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