Projection-Based Implicit Modeling Method (PIMM) for Functionally Graded Lattice Optimization

Abstract

We propose a projection-based implicit modeling method (PIMM) for functionally graded lattice optimization, which does not require any homogenization techniques. In this method, a parametric projection function is proposed to link the implicit function of functionally graded lattice with the finite element background mesh. To reduce the number of design variables, the radial basis function is utilized to interpolate the implicit design field. The triply periodic minimal surface lattice is employed to demonstrate the proposed method. Several two- and three-dimensional lattice design examples are presented to solve the compliance problems. The proposed PIMM method is flexible and can potentially be extended to design graded irregular porous scaffold and non-periodic lattice infill designs.