Lightweight design of a support based on topology optimization and 3d printing

Abstract

The lightweight design of a support is completed with combination of topology optimization and 3D printing technology. Based on reverse engineering, the three-dimensional model of the support is established. The minimum volume is taken as the design objective, the maximum von Mises stress and the maximum displacements at the two holes are taken as constraints, and the material density is taken as design variable. The variable density method is used to realize the optimization of the support. Then, the origin model and the optimized model are printed by FDM technology. The results show that: The support's mass is reduced by 50% under all constraints after optimization; the combination of optimization design and 3D printing technology is an effective method of structural design.