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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 Elastic Modulus (192e3 MPa), Poisson’s 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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Creation of local coordinate systems to apply forces
For this model one Local Coordinate System needs to be created to easily apply the corresponding force to the model.
By opening the Coordinate Tools a local coordinate system is created by entering the three orientations (alpha = 75°, beta = 90°, gamma = 315°) and placing it on the front plane (coordinate system 1).
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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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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 “Interface Thickness”(Non“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.
Ten interfaces Interfaces are created for the force application and fixation regions. Therefore, an Interface Non-Design Space Thickness of 3 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. Now select the inner surfaces of the fixation and confirm the selection (MMB).
Note: the Interface Offset (usually displayed in red) is not visualized due to a limitation. The correct value will be considered in the optimisation.
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Manufacturing Method: Generic AM
Failure Criteria: Von Mises
Select the Strut Density: Medium
Select the Shape Quality: Balanced
Set the Complexity Setting: 67
Keep Non-Design Spaces: All Constraints and Interfaces 5-10 are deactivated
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Don’t forget to save the project!
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The chosen Safety Factor calculates automatically with the entered maximum allowable Tension Strength the Stress Goal for the optimisation. By clicking on the Gear-Button behind the Safety Factor the detailed menu for the Safety Factor and Stress Goal shows up.
The maximum allowable stress is shown (320 MPa) and the calculated Stress Goal (80 MPa). By changing the Failure Definition to Stress Goal, the Stress Goal can be entered manually as well.
Step 7: Starting the optimisation and visualize the results
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.
All result iterations are displayed as soon as they are available. Furthermore, you are able to stop the optimisation in this selection area.
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However, a Restart is not directly possible.
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
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: Coming Soon!
You might also be interested in these tutorials:
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