Manufacturability-driven, multi-component topology optimization (MTO) for top-down design of structural assemblies

Speaker: Dr. Kazuhiro Saitou - University of Michigan
Date: Nov 12, 2021; Time: 2:30 PM Location: BPB 131

http://s.uconn.edu/meseminar11/12

Abstract: This talk presents a manufacturability-driven, multi-component topology optimization (MTO) framework for simultaneous design and partitioning of structures assembled of multiple components. Constraints on component geometry imposed by chosen manufacturing processes are incorporated in the conventional density-based topology optimization, with additional design variables specifying fractional component membership that enables continuous relaxation of otherwise discrete partitioning problems.  The geometric constraints imposed by various manufacturing processes, such as size, perimeter length, undercut, and enclosed cavities, are also relaxed to enable the manufacturability evaluation of “gray” geometries that occur during the density-based topology optimization. Examples on minimum compliance structural assembly design for sheet metal stamping (MTO-S), die casting (MTO-D), additive manufacturing (MTO-A), and continuous fiber printing process (MTO-C) show promising advantages over the conventional monolithic topology optimization.  In particular, manufacturing constraints previously applied to monolithic topology optimization gain new interpretations when applied to multi-component assemblies, which can unlock richer design space for topology exploration.  The talk will conclude with a brief overview of the latest developments towards the MTO framework for foldable “4D” printed structures.

Biographical Sketch: Kazuhiro Saitou is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. He currently serves for the Department as an Associate Chair for Graduate Education. He received BEng degree from University of Tokyo, Japan, and MS and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. His research interest includes algorithmic and computational design synthesis and design for manufacture and assembly, with applications in mechanical, industrial, and biomedical systems.  He is a Fellow of ASME and IEEE.