Goal of this tutorial
Introduction to MSC Apex Generative Design 2020
Gain basic optimization knowledge
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 Gennerative Design or import already existing files. You can import .xb, .step, and .sldprt files into the program.
Import/create the Design space including the Nondesign spaces in MSC Apex Generativ Design 2020 as one solid. For this Jet Engine Bracket the already prepared Design space was imported.
Create the material Steel in the Materials editor and assign it to the Design space
The specific values needed are the Young's Modulus (210e3 MPa), poisson ratio (0.28) and density (7.85e-6 kg/mm3)
Nondesign spaces have to be selected using the Optimization Tools. In this case the four fixation points and two force application points are selected and a Nondesign space with an offset of 3 mm is created 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-Moment1 | Force | y | -1000 |
One constraint is created and attached on the Nondesign space:
Name | Direction |
|---|---|
Constraint 1 | 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 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 and Constraint1
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: 50 MPa
Advanced User Settings: BF1584446026. Further information here.
Don’t forget to save the project!
Step 6: Starting the optimization and visualize 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 to realize a higher resolution (increases calculation time!) Options - Application Settings - Generative Design Solver
Step 7: Visualization of Stresses & Displacements
Inside the Post Processing the von Mises stress and the displacements are visible for all iterations
The Scale can be influenced individually
The whole MSC Apex Generative Design 2020 project with all results can be downloaded here: