Truss Parametrization of Topology Optimization Results with Curve Skeletons and Meta Balls

DS 116: Proceedings of the DESIGN2022 17th International Design Conference

Year: 2022
Editor: Mario Štorga, Stanko Škec, Tomislav Martinec, Dorian Marjanović
Author: Martin Denk (1), Klemens Rother (2), Kristin Paetzold (3)
Series: DESIGN
Institution: 1: Universit
Section: Design Support Tools and Methods
Page(s): 363-372
DOI number: https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2022.38
ISSN: 2732-527X (Online)

Abstract

Truss-like shapes can occur in topology optimization described by an assembly of finite elements or its boundary represented as a polygon mesh. Such shape description does not cover a common engineering parametrization like the lines of a frame structure and its corresponding cross-section. This article addresses the truss-parametrization of such optimization using curve skeletons and Meta Balls. While the curve skeleton is common in the truss-parametrization, including Meta Balls can lead to an overall implicit and smooth shape description.

Keywords: topological optimisation, reverse engineering, computer-aided design (CAD)