Application Designing Additive Structures

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the opportunities of topology optimization applied to additive technology which will permit to design ultra-light structures practically without regard to the technological limits. The article gives a brief historical overview of the mutual influence of structures, materials and manufacturing technologies. The additive technology seems to have the broadest opportunities for producing existing structures using conventional materials without design changes. A hypothetical variable density material provides the means to solve an auxiliary problem of optimal material distribution considering stress or stiffness constraints.The special optimization algorithm allows the optimal topology layout to be found which will have a minimum value of the integral characteristic, called “load-carrying factor” (LCF). The LCF is a powerful tool for estimating the perfection limit of any structural and technological solution. Along with the optimal structure, such solutions are difficult for manufacturing using conventional materials and technologies. A creation of real material with the characteristics of hypothetical material is considered as one of the nearest areas of additive technology's development for finding optimal structures.