Training:

Relevant data for this tutorial:

Step 1: Create a new project

In a first step, you need to create a new project. All data (geometry and configuration) will be copied and saved directly in a new project folder, located in your workspace:

• Start MSC Apex Generative Design 2019

• Create a new project using the symbol

• Enter a project name and save the project

• Open the newly created project

Step 2: Model generation

• Upload all relevant stl files by clicking on the symbol in the objects/surfaces area

• Select all stl files

• The field at the bottom shows notifications to help you generate an optimization model

• The uploaded objects are listed in the objects/surfaces area

• Assign a Material to each object/surface and enter the specific values for the Young's Modulus (210e3) and poisson ratio (0.28) in the Material Editor

• Activate the option design space for the relevant stl file. Only one volume can be selected as such.

• In this case: Eccentric - design-1

Step 3: Definition of boundary conditions

Go to the boundary conditions tab to enter the loads and fixations. For each boundary condition a name, a space and the specification of the boundary condition is entered as follows:

• A total of 5 forces and 6 fixations should have been created as a result.

All boundary conditions must be assigned to the load cases. The number of load cases can be changed using the "+" or "-" characters. The assignment of the boundaries to the load cases can be made in the boundary conditions or load cases area by selecting the different boundary conditions while the load case is activated.

• Active in Loadcase1: hand_close, 0_degree_bolt, Fixation_0degree1 and Fixation_0degree2

• Active in Loadcase2: hand_close, 45_degree_bolt, Fixation_45degree1 and Fixation_45degree2

• Active in Loadcase 3: hand_close, 90_degree_bolt, Fixation_90degree1 and Fixation_90degree2

• ctive in Loadcase4: hand_open, 0_degree_bolt, Fixation_0degree1 and Fixation_0degree2

• Active in Loadcase5: hand_open, 45_degree_bolt, Fixation_45degree1 and Fixation_45degree2

• Active in Loadcase 6: hand_open, 90_degree_bolt, Fixation_90degree1 and Fixation_90degree2

Step 4: Definition of optimization parameters

Switch to the optimization area. You can find more information about the parameter selection here.

• Choose the design type normal

• Enter the optimization goal stress: 50 MPa

Open Result File Formats. The following result files should be activated:

• stl File: results of each iteration in stl file format

• stl Files Intersected: result of each iteration intersected with the design space in stl file format

• ply Files with Stress: results with the information of stresses of each iteration (must be activated to show the results in the Visualization space)

• ply Files with Displacement: results with the information of displacements of each iteration (must be activated to show the results in the Visualization space)

• More information on result file formats here

All Inputs can be viewed and checked in the configuration file. The file should look like this.

Please make sure only one .amendate file is in your project folder.

• You can always change the design type, stress and solverMaxMemory to influence the results and try out different options. You can find further information here.

Step 5: Save the Project

Step 6: Starting the optimization and visualizing the results

If all data are correct, the optimization can be started and tracked in the results area.

All result iterations are displayed as soon as they are available. The progress of the optimization can also be monitored via the AMendate log file. Furtheremore you are able to stop the optimization in this selection area. A restart however is not possible.

The optimization is finished after 64 iterations (optimizationtype: optimizing).

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.

Step 9: Influence of different settings

• By varying the settings the optimization results can be influenced

• The solverMaxMemory can be increased for a higher resolution (increased calculation time!). You can find further information here.

• The Design Type influences the strucures which are formed during optimization. You can find further information here.

• You can generate all the designs below by adjusting these two values (depending on your workstation).

You might also be interested in these tutorials:

• Introductory Optimization - Jet-Engine-Bracket

• Introductory Optimization - Eccentric

• Introductory Optimization - Pedal

• Introductory Optimization - Hook

• Symmetrical Optimization - Bridge