Generative design of a large-scale nonhomogeneous structures

Abstract

The digitalization of the product design process has become the new norm in the engineering design with the development of different CAD software, design analyses tools, and rapid prototyping techniques. More holistic approaches in the product design analyses include modeling of the manufacturing technologies and the entire logistics regarding the product life-cycle. Advanced design techniques have paved the way for engineers and designers to create new innovative products with unique functionalities or entirely change the shape of an existing traditional product. Generative and parametric design methods have established themselves in the recent years with benefits regarding material use and sustainability, but mostly with the development of the additive manufacturing technologies. They enable concepts like application driven design to become feasible, in this case lightweight structures while still maintaining structural integrity. In this work, an application driven design of non-homogeneous structure with tailored response to different external load conditions is presented. The structure design constraints in size and expected load capacity result in nonhomogeneous structure with optimal material distribution and structure mechanical response.