Topology optimization and additive manufacturing applied to a camera bracket for a 3U CubeSat

Abstract

This work is aimed to perform the optimization of the design of a camera bracket for a 3U CubeSat. The weight of the initial design is 1.15 kg which needs to be reduced below 150 g, maintaining enough stiffness to withstand the launch loads. Topology Optimization is applied with Altair’s OptiStruct Inspire software to fulfil the mass reduction requirement, with promising result. Lastly, a PLA prototype is manufactured via Additive Manufacturing.