Level-Set-Based Topology Optimization Using Remeshing Techniques for Magnetic Actuator Design

Abstract

This paper proposes a new level-set-based topology optimization method for magnetic actuator design using remeshing techniques that can generate meshes on the exact structural boundaries to improve the accuracy of finite-element analysis. Two remeshing techniques, such as the modified adaptive mesh method and the extended finite-element method (XFEM), are introduced for the optimization process. To control the computational time with meshing that is economical and analysis that is accurate, a new resolution parameter that can manage the level of mesh density around the level-set boundaries is employed in the modified adaptive mesh method. In the XFEM, the enrichment term in the element shape function is employed to track the exact outer boundary of the actuator. The optimization problem is formulated to maximize the magnetic force between the core and an armature under the volume constraint of the ferromagnetic material. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, it is applied to an electromagnetic problem for an optimal C-core actuator design that is very sensitive to structural boundaries.