Use a Topology study to explore design iterations of a component that
satisfy a given optimization goal and geometric constraints.
Available in SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional and SOLIDWORKS Simulation
Premium.
A Topology study performs nonparametric topology optimization of parts.
Starting with a maximum design space (which represents the maximum allowed size for a
component) and considering all applied loads, fixtures, and manufacturing constraints,
the topology optimization seeks a new material layout, within the boundaries of the
maximum allowed geometry, by redistributing the material. The optimized component
satisfies all the required mechanical and manufacturing requirements.
For example, you can optimize the part of a car hood opening mechanism,
as shown in the image below in blue, in terms of strength and weight (image courtesy of
Ring Brothers LLC).
With a Topology study, you can set a design goal to find the best stiffness to
weight ratio, minimize the mass, or reduce the maximum displacement of a component.
Start with the Best
Stiffness to Weight ratio goal to get an initial optimized shape of
your component.
In addition to the optimization goal, you define design constraints to ensure
that the required mechanical properties, such as maximum deflection, percentage of mass
removed, and also manufacturing processes are satisfied. For a successful Topology study
run, the design proposal reached by the iterative optimization process fulfills all
structural and manufacturing requirements entered.
In the Study PropertyManager, select
Topology Study.
To set up a Topology study, you define:
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Maximum Sized Model
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Select a single body to perform topology optimization. The initial geometry
of the body is referenced as the Maximum Sized Model.
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One Goal
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The optimization goal drives the mathematical formulation of the
optimization algorithm. In a Topology Study tree, right-click Goals and Constraints. In the Goals and Constraints PropertyManager, select
one of the optimization objectives: Best
Stiffness to Weight Ratio, Minimize Mass, or Minimize
Maximum Displacement. When you select
Best Stiffness to Weight
Ratio, the algorithm seeks to minimize the global
compliance of the model, which is a measure of the overall flexibility
(reciprocal of stiffness). Compliance is defined by the sum of strain
energies of all elements.
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Constraints
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Constraints limit the design space solutions. They enforce limits to:
percentage of mass to be removed, performance targets for the stresses
(FOS), displacements, or eigenfrequencies observed in your model. You define
optimization constraints in the Goals and Constraints
PropertyManager. The user interface filters the type of constraints you can
apply based on the goal you select.
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Preserved Regions
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These are regions of your model that are excluded from the optimization
process and are preserved in the final shape. The geometric entities where
you apply loads and fixtures are preserved by default. To select the regions
to exclude from optimization, go to . To select additional faces to preserve, right-click
Manufacturing Control, and select
Add Preserved Region.
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Manufacturing Controls
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Geometric constraints enforced by manufacturing processes ensure that the
optimized part is manufacturable. Right-click Manufacturing Controls, and define the required controls
like De-mold Direction, Thickness Control, or Symmetry Control. In the De-mold Direction PropertyManager, you can
also apply a stamping constraint to create holes across the thickness of a
part. With the Symmetry Control, you
enforce half, quarter, or one-eighth symmetry to the optimized shape of the
component.
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Depending on the settings of the optimization goal, manufacturing
controls, mesh, loads, and boundary conditions, the optimization process yields an
acceptable design that is a derivative of the initial maximum design space.