Why topology optimization?
Typical design questions:
What should be the shape of my object? Would holes be helpful? Where? How big? What's the strongest structure possible? How can I cool a plate as much as possible? How can I make my structure do [...] as much as possible?
Typical solutions:
Conventionally, people attempt to answer these questions by parametrizing an existing design, and finding optimal parameters. That limits the design space to the creativity and patience of the designer.
Better solution:
Topology optimization is a better way of addressing design issues. It dramatically expands the design space. The algorithm finds all of the features of the design, including the overall shape of the structure, the location, shape and size of holes, the location/size/shape of supports. Top. Opt. can also be used to design connections between structures.
Topology optimization is not limited to mechanical structres. We can also redesign devices in the thermal domain, or any mathematically described physics type.
What should be the shape of my object? Would holes be helpful? Where? How big? What's the strongest structure possible? How can I cool a plate as much as possible? How can I make my structure do [...] as much as possible?
Typical solutions:
Conventionally, people attempt to answer these questions by parametrizing an existing design, and finding optimal parameters. That limits the design space to the creativity and patience of the designer.
Better solution:
Topology optimization is a better way of addressing design issues. It dramatically expands the design space. The algorithm finds all of the features of the design, including the overall shape of the structure, the location, shape and size of holes, the location/size/shape of supports. Top. Opt. can also be used to design connections between structures.
Topology optimization is not limited to mechanical structres. We can also redesign devices in the thermal domain, or any mathematically described physics type.