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The optimised geometry can be reimported into a new project or into the already existing optimisation project. For this Tutorial the project of the GD-Bracket is used.
For a Retransition to a NURBS-Geometry a non-intersected optimisation result is needed. Therefore, the Smooth-Geometry from the Post Processing should be exported. The geometry of this file stays always inside the Design Spaces limits except of the Non-Desgin Design areas, they intentionally exceed the Design Space limits to enable an easy and clean Boolean Intersection.
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Step 2: Mesh to CAD
With the F acet Facet to NURBS Tool in the Geometry Edit Tools the STL-file can be transitioned to a NURBS-Geometry. Therefore, the Automatic Size Calculation and the Partition Preview can stay active. With the middle mouse button (MMB) the operation can be executed.
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From time to time and depending on the geometry some NURBS patches might fail. These will be displayed in the status bar as well. If this happens the geometry can be repaired manually. How this works is described here.
Step 3: Geometry Cleanup
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To create the final NURBS-Geometry all functional surfaces and sharp edges have to be created with Boolean Operations. The best way for this is a Boolean Intersection between the retransitioned optimisation result and the Design space Space of the optimisation. A copy of the Design space Space is needed for the following operation.
With the Transform Tool the Solid of the Design space Space can be copied by activating the Copy option and transforming with 0.
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The next step is a Boolean Intersection between the created NURBS Geometry of the optimisation result and the just copied Design Space solid.
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The result is an intersected CAD-Geometry with all functional sharp edges and surfaces. At this point it is also possible to create machining allowances Machining Allowances on functional surfaces which are post processed by milling or other manufacturing processesif a geometry was not already created directly by the optimisation.
The finished Geometry can be used in any CAD software and for all further steps like a FE-Reanalysis with MSC Nastran.
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The whole MSC Apex Generative Design project with the retransitioned intersected CAD-file can be downloaded here: