Topology Optimization Of Mechanisms Research Articles

Electromagnetic and Mechanical Topology Optimization for SynRM Rotors Considering High Dimensional Constraints

The knowledge-based parametric design process of the rotor topology of the synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) requires a tedious parameter definition, selection, and searching process until an optimal design can be obtained. This research proposes a topology optimization approach based on solid isotropic material with penalization method for the SynRM rotor topology design. The aim is to pursue a more intelligent and automatic design process. Specifically, the proposed method aims to generate the SynRM rotor design of high output torque profile. Meanwhile, the mechanical constraints including structural compliance and stress etc. are also considered for promising the structural reliability of the rotor. Considering the high dimensional constraints caused by the multi-physics performances, the augmented Lagrangian method based optimization framework is developed to solve the minimization problem in a compact scheme. To prove the effectiveness of the developed method, simulations and analysis on the topology optimization of SynRMs are performed in this research. Prototyping and experiment are also conducted for verifying the performance of the optimized structure.

Development and assessment of a methodology for abstraction of topology optimization results to enable the substitution of optimized beams

Improving mechanical topology optimization (TO) results by substituting biomimetic beams is one possibility to achieve designs of mechanical components that are highly sustainable and show good mechanical performance. Because of their geometric complexity, such designs were found to be well-suited for production by laser additive manufacturing. One obstacle of incorporating biomimetics beams in TO designs is the lack of detailed design methodologies. Röver et al. [“Methodology for integrating biomimetic beams in abstracted topology optimization results,” in Proceedings of the ASME 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 4: Biomedical and Biotechnology; Design, Systems, and Complexity Columbus, OH, 30 October–3 November (ASME, New York, 2022)] proposed a corresponding design concept. Building on their concept, we present in this work a detailed methodology for abstraction of TO results to a design consisting of ball nodes and cylindrical beams. Using such an auxiliary design, the internal forces and moments of the beams can be evaluated to allow for the substitution of suitable biomimetic beams to generate biomimetic component designs in a next step. We present a skeletonization algorithm based on the potential field approach. Using the skeletonization and an additional analysis of the dimensions of the beams in the TO result, the algorithm develops an auxiliary design of the original TO result. The final algorithm was applied to three common TO results to obtain one auxiliary component design each. The developed algorithm was found to generate abstractions that were well-suited for use in the methodology proposed in Röver et al. [“Methodology for integrating biomimetic beams in abstracted topology optimization results,” in Proceedings of the ASME 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 4: Biomedical and Biotechnology; Design, Systems, and Complexity Columbus, OH, 30 October–3 November (ASME, New York, 2022)], because internal forces and moments in the abstracted beams could be evaluated with less effort. Therefore, our work contributes to a detailed design methodology for biomimetic mechanical components in the field of design for additive manufacturing.

Structure Improvement and Optimization of Gantry Milling System for Complex Boring and Milling Machining Center

To enhance the efficiency and machining precision of the TX1600G complex boring and milling machining center, a study was conducted on the structure of its gantry milling system. This study aimed to mitigate the influence of factors such as structural quality, natural frequency, and stiffness. The approach employed for this investigation involved mechanism topology optimization. To initiate this process, a finite element model of the gantry milling system structure was established. Subsequently, an objective function, comprising strain energy and modal eigenvalues, was synthesized. This objective function was optimized through multi-objective topology optimization, taking into account certain mass fraction constraints and considering various factors, including processing technology. The ultimate goal of this optimization was to create a gantry milling structure that exhibited high levels of dynamic and static stiffness, a superior natural frequency, and reduced mass. To validate the effectiveness of these topology optimization results, a comparison was made between the new and previous structures. The findings of this study serve as a valuable reference for optimizing the structure of other components within the machining center.

Force Characteristics and Mechanical Topology Optimization of Hydraulic Machine Structures: Statics and Dynamics

In this paper, the design requirements of the hydraulic testing machine are based on the actual force conditions. Static and dynamic performance analyses of the stressed components of the hydraulic machine are carried out and the mechanical topology is optimized. Combining the static and dynamic objective functions of the structure, a fast variable density topology method is proposed, thus improving the optimization efficiency. After setting the positions of the optimized and non-optimized regions. It can be found that the optimized mechanical performance is more superior as the number of iterations increases. The results show that the stress in the strut is 175.75 MPa and the maximum stress in the upper beam structure is 43.708 MPa. The first sixth order frequency is much higher than the operating frequency of 3 Hz. The final results of the mechanical topology optimization analysis show. The optimized structure of the upper, middle and lower crossbeams resulted in a mass reduction of 38%, 36% and 5.57%. The maximum stresses in the upper and middle crossbeams were reduced by 10.33%, 8.3% and 51.8%, respectively. The deformation was reduced by 6.14% at the fastest time; the inherent frequency of the first 3 orders was increased to achieve light weight. The overall mechanical properties became better after optimization, and the dynamic and static stability of the frame was improved. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Construction of Biomimetic Tissues with Anisotropic Structures via Stepwise Algorithm-Assisted Bioprinting.

Tissue-specific natural anisotropic microstructures play an important role in the normal functioning of tissues, yet they remain difficult to construct by current printing techniques. Herein, a stepwise algorithm-assisted bioprinting technology for the construction of biomimetic tissues with a customizable anisotropic microstructure by combining the Adaptive Mesh Generation algorithm and the Greedy Search algorithm is developed. Based on the mechanical topology optimization design mechanism, the Adaptive Mesh Generation algorithm can generate controllable anisotropic mesh patterns with the minimum free energy in plane models according to tissue-specific requirements. Subsequently, the Greedy Search algorithm can program the generated pattern data into optimized printing paths, effectively avoiding structural deformations caused by the multiple stacking of materials and reducing the printing time. The developed bioprinting technique is suitable for various types of bioinks including polymers, hydrogels, and organic/inorganic complexes. After combining with a calcium phosphorus bioink, the compound algorithm-assisted bioprinting technique successfully customizes femurs with biomimetic chemical compositions, anisotropic microstructures, and biological properties, demonstrating its effectiveness. Additionally, algorithm-assisted bioprinting is generally suitable for most commercial extrusion bioprinters that function in the geometric code (G-code) drive mode. Therefore, the algorithm-assisted extrusion bioprinting technology offers an intelligent manufacturing strategy for the customization of anisotropic microstructures in biomimetic tissues.

Novel Topology Optimization Method for Weight Reduction in Electrical Machines

This paper proposes a combined electromagnetic and mechanical topology optimization for weight reduction in electrical machines based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO). The devised method is an on-off-type algorithm with adaptative mesh in which low flux density and low Von Mises stress cells are removed successively from a first machine design. With this approach, the weight of the machine can be considerably reduced without compromising the electromagnetic performance of the machine, with a reduced computation time compared to other topology optimization methods. A case study involving a 1.2 MW low-speed, permanent magnet motor is analyzed under different conditions (algorithm parameters, initial mesh, rotational speed) and used to compare the proposed method with two other topology optimization approaches.

L-System-Generated Mechanism Topology Optimization Using Graph-Based Interpretation

Traditional topology optimization techniques, such as density-based and level set methods, have proven successful in identifying potential design configurations for structures and mechanisms but suffer from rapidly increasing design space dimensionality and the possibility of converging to local minima. A heuristic alternative to these approaches couples a genetic algorithm with a Lindenmayer system (L-system), which encodes design variables and governs the development of the structure when coupled with an interpreter to translate genomic information into structural topologies. This work discusses the development of a graph-based interpretation scheme referred to as spatial interpretation for the development of reconfigurable structures (SPIDRS). This framework allows for the effective exploration of mechanism design spaces using a limited number of design variables. The theory and implementation of this method are detailed, and multiple case studies are presented to demonstrate the ability of SPIDRS to generate adaptive structures capable of achieving multiple design goals.

Multi-Objective Topology Optimization of a Compliant Parallel Planar Mechanism under Combined Load Cases and Constraints

This paper focuses on a new type of configuration design of a compliant parallel mechanism (CPM) planar continuum structure and its characteristic analysis of vibration-inherent frequency for planar motion, which can suppress the impact of random vibration in ultra-precision positioning and manufacturing equipment and improve the inherent frequency response of the mechanism. Firstly, a vector-mapping isomorphism between the fully CPM and conventional isomorphic parallel mechanism was constructed with a kinematic differential Jacobian matrix. Then, the mathematical model of topology optimization was put forward considering the compromise programming on the static stiffness and mean vibration-inherent frequency of the mechanism as the design variable and the minimization of compliance as the objective function. A constraint of volume fraction was considered and multi-objective micro displacement mechanism topology optimization based on a prismatic-revolute-revolute (3-PRR) planar nano-positioning continuum structure was performed using the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) technique, which combines the criteria of the optimization algorithm and the vector isomorphic mapping method. Multi-objective topology optimization of the continuum structure micro displacement mechanism was investigated and presented by optimizations with different initial rejection rates. The simulation results show that the stiffness and vibration suppression performance of the continuum structure were improved, whereas the positioning of differential kinematics characteristics of the 3-PRR micro displacement planar fully CPM and isomorphic prototype mechanism retain the same. The modal analysis also provides a rational configuration for the micro displacement mechanism dimensional design and its optimal modal parameters. The crossover oscillation in frequency response of the continuum structure was reduced and quickly converged in the optimization iterations. The performance of the optimized mechanism was verified by the experiments on a planar fully compliant micro displacement continuum structure based on Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) actuator.

Topology optimization of planar linkage mechanisms for path generation without prescribed timing

The synthesis of planar linkage mechanisms by a topology optimization method has recently received much attention because both their numbers and dimensions can be simultaneously determined without baseline layouts. To synthesize a mechanism to produce a desired path at its end-effector, a desired path can be defined with or without prescribed timing. While earlier topology optimizations of mechanisms were all concerned with paths with prescribed timing, no study to deal with the topology optimization of mechanisms for path generation without prescribed timing is carried out in spite of its importance. The aim of this study is to propose and set up a gradient-based topology optimization formulation to synthesize planar linkage mechanisms that generate desired paths without prescribed timing. To this end, the desired path of the end-effector is expressed by the centroid distance function which is then represented by its Fourier descriptors. Then a topology optimization formulation using the Fourier descriptors is developed and the sensitivity analysis based on the Fourier descriptors is derived. Several numerical case studies are considered to verify the effectiveness of the proposed formulation. Some numerical issues appearing with the use of the Fourier descriptors are also investigated.

금속오링씰의 컴플라이언트 메커니즘 위상최적설계

The elastic recovery of a metal seal is a factor that can be used to assess its sealing performance. In this study, a compliant mechanism topology optimization has been performed to find a structure of a metal O-ring seal that can maintain excellent sealing performance with a maximized elastic recovery over extended operation. An evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) was used as a topology optimization algorithm with two different types of objective functions considering both flexibility and stiffness. In particular, a circular design domain was adopted to consider the outer shape of the metal O-ring seal. The elastic recovery of the optimal topology was calculated and compared to that of a commercial product.

Active Contours With Stochastic Fronts and Mechanical Topology Optimization

Active contours with stochastic fronts (ACSF) is developed and investigated in this article to address the dependency of the existing algorithms of topology optimization on the initial guesses. The promising results of ACSF confirms that the use of this approach leads to higher chance of escaping from local solutions compared to the classic level set method. ACSF as a special case of the stochastic active contours (SAC), has a simplified structure that makes its implementation easier, and at the same time it has a rigorous mathematical proof of convergence. Although propitious, there is still a slight chance of trapping scenarios for ACSF that is observed in the presented results.

An element addition strategy for thermally actuated compliant mechanism topology optimization

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an element addition strategy for topology optimization of thermally actuated compliant mechanisms under uniform temperature fields.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed procedure is based on the evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) method. In previous works, this group of authors has successfully applied the ESO method for compliant mechanism optimization under directly applied input loads. The present paper progresses on this work line developing an extension of this procedure, based on an additive version of the method, to approach the more complicated case of thermal actuators.FindingsThe adopted method has been tested in several numerical applications and benchmark examples to illustrate and validate the approach, and designs obtained with this method are compared favorably with the analytical solutions and results derived by other authors using different optimization methods, showing the viability of this technique for uniformly heated actuators optimization.Research limitations/implicationsAs a simple initial approach, this research considers only uniform heating of the system, while many thermal actuators are heated nonuniformly. Future works will be based on electrothermal actuation, and nonuniform Joule heating will be considered as well, which might lead to more elegant and efficient solutions.Practical implicationsCompliant micromechanisms that are responsible for movement play a crucial role in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design, which cannot be manufactured using typical assembly processes and may not make use of traditional hinges or bearings. The topology optimization method described in this paper enables the systematic design of these devices, which can result in reduced conception time and manufacturing cost.Originality/valueThe ESO method has been successfully applied to several optimum material distribution problems, but not for thermal compliant mechanisms. Even if most applications of this method have been oriented for maximum stiffness structure design, this paper shows that this computation method may be also useful in the design of thermal compliant mechanisms and provides engineers with a very simple and practical alternative design tool.