An additive manufacturing filter for topology optimization of print-ready designs

Matthijs Langelaar*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

253 Citations (Scopus)
129 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers exciting opportunities to manufacture parts of unprecedented complexity. Topology optimization is essential to fully exploit this capability. However, AM processes have specific limitations as well. When these are not considered during design optimization, modifications are generally needed in post-processing, which add costs and reduce the optimized performance. This paper presents a filter that incorporates the main characteristics of a generic AM process, and that can easily be included in conventional density-based topology optimization procedures. Use of this filter ensures that optimized designs comply with typical geometrical AM restrictions. Its performance is illustrated on compliance minimization problems, and a 2D Matlab implementation is provided.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)871 - 883
JournalStructural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
Volume55
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Design for manufacturing
  • Overhang angle
  • Printability
  • Support structures
  • Topology optimization

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