Author Archives: io

Additive Layer Manufactured (ALM) Aerospace Part

EADS Innovation Works optimized Airbus A320 nacelle hinge bracket (link). The manufacturing method of choice was Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM), so no manufacturing constraints was necessary. The component was originally made of steel , but now the material of choice … Continue reading

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Mercedes SLS AMG

The aluminium space-frame chassis of SLS AMG is made of: %45 aluminium extrusions , %31 aluminium sheet, %20 cast aluminium and %4 steel. Steel is used only at A pillars for maximum safety. The castings were topology optimized (link). The … Continue reading

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Formula SAE Wheel Center

Vandals Racing team of University of Idaho used topology optimization to develope the wheel centers of their car (link). The centers are reported to be at the same weight an size as previous wheels centers and the stress is reduced … Continue reading

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Poll

Our first poll [polldaddy poll=4702834]

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CH-47 Chinook under floor frame

Under floor frames of CH-47 Chinook were investigated, and topology optimized by Boeing and NCDMM (link). Possibility of using monolithic “one-piece machining” structures, which is an increasing trend in aviation and topology optimization of such structures were  studied. Ramp downs in the ribs … Continue reading

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Compliant Aircraft Wing Leading Edge

M.J. Santer and S. Pellegrinoy topology optimized a Compliant Aircraft Wing Leading Edge. Using Genetic Algorithms and a path based method. The aim seems to be designing an elastic Leading edge with no gap. The results seem a bit trivial with … Continue reading

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Solar Car

Group T Leuven Engineering College a team of fourteen engineering students used topology optimization to design the structure of a solar car (link). The frame is 19 kg in weight, and has covered 3000 km’s of road. They utilised inertia … Continue reading

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Composite Rudder Quadrant

Engineering company High Modulus and composite rudder specialist Isotop, developed a CFRP rudder quadrant for a 100-ft/31m boat to reduce its weight (link). Topology optimization was utilized to design the part. The original structure had a core with sheet CFRP … Continue reading

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Heller machining centres

Heller (link) uses topology optimization to improve their machine components. They optimized their topologies with respect to both static and eigenvalue responses. All the targeted eigenfrequencies were increased significantly.

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ForcePAD

ForcePAD is a very nice, little educational topology optimizing software. It is similar to Paint in terms of interface. You just paint a 2D structure with a brush kind of tool, place forces with few clicks and do the topology … Continue reading

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