Strategies for functionally graded lattice structures derived using topology optimisation for additive manufacturing

Panesar, Ajit; Abdi, Meisam; Hickman, Duncan; Ashcroft, Ian

Abstract

A number of strategies that enable lattice structures to be derived from Topology Optimisation (TO) results suitable for Additive Manufacturing (AM) are presented. The proposed strategies are evaluated for mechanical performance and assessed for AM specific design related manufacturing considerations. From a manufacturing stand-point, support structure requirement decreases with increased extent of latticing, whereas the design-to-manufacture discrepancies and the processing efforts, both in terms of memory requirements and time, increase.

Results from Finite Element (FE) analysis for the two loading scenarios considered: intended loading, and variability in loading, provide insight into the solution optimality and robustness of the design strategies. Lattice strategies that capitalised on TO results were found to be considerably (?40-50%) superior in terms of specific stiffness when compared to the structures where this was not the case. The Graded strategy was found to be the most desirable from both the design and manufacturing perspective. The presented pros-and-cons for the various proposed design strategies aim to provide insight into their suitability in meeting the challenges faced by the AM design community.

Citation

Panesar, A., Abdi, M., Hickman, D., & Ashcroft, I. (2018). Strategies for functionally graded lattice structures derived using topology optimisation for additive manufacturing. Additive Manufacturing, 19, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2017.11.008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 13, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 14, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 17, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 17, 2017
• Journal: Additive Manufacturing
• Print ISSN: 2214-8604
• Electronic ISSN: 2214-8604
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2017.11.008
• Keywords: Lattice structures; Functional Grading; Topology Optimisation; Design for Additive Manufacturing; Finite Element Analysis
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/907955
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2017.11.008