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Goal of this tutorial
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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 GenDes Generative Design or import already existing files. You can import .xb, .step, and .stl sldprt files into the program.For this Bridge a design space needs to be created which includes the 4 pillars as fixations and the street as the force entry point.
Import/create the design Design space including the nondesign Nondesign spaces in MSC Apex Generativ Design 2020 as one solidGenerative Design 2020. For this Pedal the already prepared Design space and Nondesign spaces were 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 Steel in the materials Materials editor and assign a Material it to the design Design space
The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (210e3 MPa), poisson Poisson ratio (0.28) and density (7.85)85e-6 kg/mm3)
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Nondesign spaceshave to be selected using the optimization toolsthe optimisation Tools. In this case with the direct method all already existing cells (partitions) can be selected
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The Nondesign spaces will change the colour and are listed in the model tree
Step 3: Definition of boundary conditions
Go to the boundary conditions tool 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 optimisation using the Advanced User Settings is carried out. Therefore, the loads are only applied on a half (quarter/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.
In this case one Forceonly one force is defined in the positive coordinate half (on the top plate):
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Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction | Value in N |
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Force-Moment1 |
Force | y | -1000 |
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and one Fixation need to be created.One constraint is created and attached on the inner surface of the cylinder:
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Surface
Direction |
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Constraint 1 |
Pedalaxle1
x, y, z (=0) |
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Step 4: Definition of load cases
The next steps are carried out defined in the Studies Area. To start an optimization a Meshless Genreative Design Study needs to be created. This study automatically selects the existing solid from the model setup as the design space. Different scenarios can be created and simulated for this design space.
Step 4: Definition of load cases
area.
All boundary conditions must be assigned to the specific load cases, which are defines defined as Events. The number of load cases Events can be changed by adding/deleting Events to the Meshless Generative Design Scenario. The assignment of the boundarie boundary conditions to the Events can be made in the Loads & Constrains Window. The already created loads and constraints that concern the design Design space are listed in this window and can be activated for each Event individually.
Active in Event1: Force-Moment and Constraint1
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5: Definition of
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optimisation parameters
The optimization optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well. You can find more information about the parameter selection here.
Select the Thickness Strut Density: normalMedium
Select the Calculation Type Shape Quality: optimizing Balanced
Enter the Maximum Stress Goal: 50 MPa
Step 5: Generative Design
You can always change the Thickness, Maximum Stress and SolverMaxMemory to influence the results and try out different options
The SolverMaxMemory can be increased for a higher resolution (increased calculation time!)
The Thickness influences the strucures which are formed during optimization
You can find further information here.
Step 6: Save the Project
Before starting the optimization, save your project!
Step 7: Starting the optimization
If all data are correct, the optimization can be started. Click on the Meshless Generative Design Scenario that you want to start and click Run Simulation. When the Optimization is started succesfully the notification Run simulation will appear in the left, down corner of the program.
The optimization is finished after 64 iterations (calculationtype: optimizing).
The files created for the optimization can be found and checked here: User/AppData/Local/Temp/Meshless_Generative-Design_Scenario_1
Be aware that the unit system is changed to SI units for the optimization.
Step 7: Visualization of Stresses
The legend can be influenced using the slider. The function "Automatically set to local minimum and maximum" considers the stresses of each iteration and sets the values from the current iteration.
Step 8: Visualization of Displacements
The legend can be influenced using the slider. The function "Automatically set to local minimum and maximum" considers the displacements of each iteration and sets the values from the current iteration.
You might also be interested in these tutorials:
Symmetrical Optimization - Bridge Advanced User Settings: BF1584446026. Further information here.
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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.
To use the symmetry constraints correctly some conditions have to be satisfied:
The geometry has to be symmetrical
The boundary conditions have to be symmetrical
The model has to be placed in the global coordinate origin
In this case the symmetry constraints are added. Therefore, the Advanced User Command symmetry.z (symmetry plane X-Y) is 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.
Don’t forget to save the project!
Step 7: Starting the optimisation and visualize the results
Before starting the optimisation, a look inside the Generative Design Solver Settings can be useful. (Options-Application Settings-Generative Design Solver)
The choice between local or remote and GPU or CPU solving can be made. Furthermore, the complexity value can be changed.
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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 are 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. However, a Restart is not directly possible.
The optimisation is finished after 64 iterations (Shape Quality: Balanced).
Step 8: Visualization of Stresses & Displacements
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.
Von Mises stress
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Displacement
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The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram
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Generative Design
You can always change the Strut Density, Stress Goal and Complexity to influence the results and try out different options
The Complexity can be increased to realize a higher resolution (increases calculation time!) Options - Application Settings - Generative Design Solver