 Ever increasing demands in relation to the lightweight construction of new components require the use of CAE methods at an early stage in the development to optimize the component design. The aim of the optimization might be, for example, to minimize mass or to meet stiffness requirements. Topology optimization is a tool which determines the shape of a component based on the available space. The stresses are homogenized and the stiffness is maximized. Other manufacturing considerations, such as deformation, can be taken into account as well.
After the most suitable shape has been rendered as a CAD model, shape optimization can be used to further improve the distribution of stresses at areas of transition. Other manufacturing restrictions can also be considered at this stage, so that the boundary conditions that apply to the subsequent manufacturing process become part of the optimization. Parameter optimization is used to optimize aspects of the component such as wall strength or the size of beam elements.
Software used
- TOSCA, Optistruct, MSC.Nastran
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