Training:
Relevant data for this tutorial:
Step 1: Start MSC Apex Generative Design 2020
The program starts and you can directly create your optimization model
Step 2: Model generation
You can either create the geometry directly in MSC Apex Generative Design or import already existing files. You can import .xb, .xt, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.
Import/create the Design space including the Nondesign spaces in MSC Apex Generative Design 2020 as one solid. For this Bookshelf the already prepared Design space was imported.
Create the material in the Materials editor and assign it to the Design space
The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (210e3 MPa), poisson ratio (0.3) and density (7.8e-6 kg/mm3)
Nondesign spaces have to be selected using the Optimization Tools. In this case the top plate is created as a Nondesign space with an offset of 3 mm and the three screw holes are being used with an offset of 2 mm for each.
Step 3: Definition of boundary conditions
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.
In this case one force is defined (on the top plate):
Name | Force/Moment/Pressure/Gravity | Direction | Value in N |
|---|---|---|---|
Force - Moment 1 | Force on cell | z | -1000 |
Three constraints are created and attached on the Nondesign spaces:
Name | Direction |
|---|---|
Constraint 1 | x, y, z (=0) |
Constraint 2 | x, y, z (=0) |
Constraint 3 | x, y, z (=0) |
Step 4: Definition of load cases
The next steps are defined in the Studies area.
All boundary conditions must be assigned to the specific load cases, which are defined as Events. The number of Events can be changed by adding/deleting Events to the Meshless Generative Design Scenario. The assignment of the boundary conditions to the Events can be made in the Loads & Constrains Window. The already created loads and constraints that concern the Design space are listed in this window and can be activated for each Event individually.
Active in Event1: Force-Moment 1, Constraint 1, Constraint 2 and Constraint 3
Step 5: Definition of optimization parameters
The optimization parameters are selected in the Studies Area as well.
Select the Strut Density: Medium
Select the Shape Quality: Balanced
Enter the Stress Goal: 2 MPa
Don’t forget to save the project!
Step 6: Starting the optimization and visualizing the results
If all data is correct, the optimization can be started and tracked in the Post Processing. The Analysis Readiness function checks if all information are provided and the optimization can start.
All result iterations are displayed as soon as they are available. Furthermore, you are able to stop the optimization in this selection area. However, a restart is not directly possible.
The optimization is finished after 64 iterations (Shape Quality: Balanced).
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 for a higher resolution (increased calculation time!)
The Strut Density influences the structures which are formed during optimization
The optimizations below show the influence of the Strut Density when nothing else is changed.
Strut Density: Medium
Strut Density: Dense
Strut Density: Sparse
Step 7: Visualization of Stresses, Displacements & Mass
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.
The mass of each iteration can be visualized with a diagram
The whole MSC Apex Generative Design 2020 project with all results can be downloaded here: