Topology optimization: An effort to reduce the weight of bottom centre pivot

Abstract

For the growth of any nation, revenue generation is prime concern. Indian railway majorly freight movement plays a vital role in this regard. Focusing on increasing carrying capacity, weight reduction of bogie and its components become prime concern. This requires existingdesign improvement of critical components. In present research work topology optimization is carried out for the design alteration of bottomCentre Bearing plate i.e. Centre pivot using ANSYSinterface. Centre Bearing Plate, an integral component of three piece freight bogie, it balances and transfer various forces generated during motion of the vehicle. Pseudo-density(ρe) are the design variables assigned to each finite element changes from 0 to 1, ρe ≈ 0 represents for removing of the material and represents for retention of the material. Further, design is modified according to the result obtained from iteration performed by FEA tool, resulting approximate weight reduction6.23%. Natural frequencies and their respective mode shapes of initial and modified designs are compared to validate the topology of the designs.