...
You can either create the geometry directly in MSC Apex Generative Design or import already existing files. You can import for example .xb, .xt, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.
...
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.
...
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).
...
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.
...
The optimisation parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.
Manufacturing Method: Generic AM
Failure Criteria: Von Mises
Strut Density: Medium
Shape Quality: Balanced
Keep Non-Design Spaces: All Constraints and Interfaces 5-10 are deactivated
...
Don’t forget to save the project!
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
Step 8: Visualization of Stresses & Displacements
Inside the Post Processing the von Mises stress and the displacements are visible for all iterations and for every Event
The Scale can be influenced individually
...
How the Complexity, Keep-Non-Design Spaces function and Event Specific Safety Factors influence the design is covered in the second part of the Tutorial: Generative Design - GD-Bracket Part 2
You might also be interested in these tutorials:
...