Search Results

A myriad of topology optimization tools exist today in the market that use automated under-the-hood structural simulations. All the user needs is to provide is the current shape of the part, or the maximum space that the part is allowed to occupy, and the maximum loads that it will experience. Though this technology has existed for over 25 years, recent advances in Additive Manufacturing (AM) have now enabled fabrication of hitherto-infeasible parts, both quickly and inexpensively. A quick cursory literature search on successful implementation of topology optimization reveals that a majority of the attention has been focused on structural components and assemblies subjected to known service load(s) [1,2,3]. Therein lies one of the disadvantages experienced in the state-of-the-art today, especially for the military industry.