From Structural Optimization Results to Parametric CAD Modeling—Automated, Skeletonization-Based Truss Recognition

Abstract

This paper presents an automated, skeletonization-based feature recognition system designed for use with biomimetic structural optimization results. It enables importing optimization results back to the CAD system as a set of parameterized geometries. The system decomposes the output of the structural optimization system into a set of simple CAD features, cylinders and spheres, enabling continuation of mechanical design workflow using native CAD representation. The system was designed to work in a fully automated mode accepting 3D objects as an input. The system uses mesh skeletonization to generate an initial solution which is refined using an evolutionary algorithm for the 3D geometry reconstruction. The system is designed as the last step of structural optimization. Applied for industrial use, it preserves unique features of this approach, such as excluding parts of the domain from optimization. The biomimetic topology optimization was used for structural optimization for all presented examples. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated using two cases: well-recognized cantilever beam optimization and industrial application of the structural optimization. For both cases, resultant geometry stress distribution is provided and analyzed.