LATTICE STRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION for ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

One of the major problems encountered designers working in the developing industry is how product can get better designs in the first stages. There are many structural optimization methods for weight reduction operations. One of them is the lattice structural optimization method. First, topology optimization process is applied on the model, then lattice structural optimization method is applied. The goal of topology optimization is to distribute the material for the best structural performance. Then the unnecessary material is removed from the model and the lattice structure is applied. The lattice contains complicated structures using minimal material to fill the volume while maintaining rigidity of the model. After optimization, the structure has a complicated geometry that it can’t be produced by conventional methods. In this case, the 3d printer/additive manufacturing is used for producing. The statically analysis of the final model, obtained from the optimization, was conducted using the finite element method and the results was compared with the initial design of the model. Positive results is obtained as a result of the comparison and it is show that topology optimization and lattice structural optimization can be used in the design of vehicle elements.