MAT 238 Generative Design

For this week's assignment, we need to create an object with generative design or topological optimization. Generative design is a top-down design approach where the user specify constraints, forces, preserved geometry, etc and the system will automatically generate a set of design that meets the design requirements.

Since I am new to Fusion 360 and generative design, I followed the tutorial from this link to get myself familiar with the workflow of generative design as well as the basics of Fusion 360.

I followed the tutorial and used one of the provided GE design model. I created a new study, specified the preserve and obstacle geometry, and set up the structural loads. I created 3 different load cases and finally submit it to the cloud.

After several hours, the designs came back. I had 4 different sets of outcome in total; each outcome had roughly 30 iterations. I selected on of the designs I like and opened it in the editing panel.

After getting myself familiarized with the workflow of generative design. I moved on to use generative design to create a cup stand. I first created a circle and an octagon and used the region in between as the base geometry of the cup stand. I extruded it to a height of 5mm. Then I used the circular pattern in Fusion 360 to create five pentagons as the basic geometry for the legs. I extruded to a height of 3mm. Then I created two cylinders as obstacle geometries -- one for the actual cup that is put on top of it, the other one for the space between legs.

Specify the preserved geometry. For this part, I added the surface of the table as well as 5 pentagons to the preserved geometry since I do not want them to change. Those parts are automatically color coded to green.

Specify the obstacle geometry. For this part, I added the two cylinders since those will represent and occupy the empty space where material isn't placed during the generation of outcomes.

Add structure loads. For this part, I created two load case. For this first one, I added 5N of force on each pentagon and 25N of force on the stand surface. For the second structure load, I added 10N of force on each pentagon and 50M of force on the stand surface. All the force is in the negative Y direction to represent the weight of the cup that is being put on top of it.

Specify the material. Since I am going to use PLA filament to print it out, I chose Plastic PC/ABS Plastic as the material.

I clicked pre-check to make sure everything is good for this study then I hit generative.

After a couple hours, I got the results back from the generative design study.

There're eight groups in total, each group with roughly 40 iterations. I spent some time to go through each of them. Eventually, I picked a design I like and created design from the outcome. I exported to the stl file.

I sliced the exported stl file in Cura. In order to better print the output, I I change the orientation of the cup stand to let it face down.

The final print looks clean.