Digital design and manufacturing of spherical joint base on multi-objective topology optimization and 3D printing

Topology optimization techniques have been widely applied for the generation of highly efficient material structures in various fields. In addition, 3D printing has the ability to fabricate geometrically complex optimized results which are difficult to realize for conventional means. The research presented in here aims to implement a digital design and manufacture high-performance joints in space truss by combining topology optimization and 3D printing. Two multi-condition optimization models, i.e., minimum volume model and minimum compliance model, are employed to optimize the spherical joints under multiple conditions. The conditions are three most dangerous load conditions of joints in the space truss. Since single-objective topology optimizations only seek the optimal solution for a single objective, the mechanical properties of the optimized result may be limited. As a result, the compromise programming model, a multi-objective topology optimization model, is designed with the goals of minimum volume and compliance under each condition. In addition, multi-condition and multiobjective topology optimization design of the spherical joints are carried out based on density approach. The advantages of the multi-objective topology optimization are verified by comparing the mechanical performance of the optimized results obtained by the minimum volume model, the minimum compliance model and the compromise programming model. Finally, the additive manufacturing of the optimized results is completed by using 3D printing technology, which verifies the feasibility of digital design and manufacturing of joints.

Automated summary

This research aims to digitally design and manufacture high-performance joints in space truss by combining topology optimization and 3D printing. Two multi-condition optimization models are used to optimize the spherical joints, and a compromise programming model is designed to achieve both minimum volume and compliance under each condition. The advantages of multi-objective topology optimization are verified by comparing the mechanical performance of different optimization models. Finally, the optimized results are successfully manufactured using 3D printing, confirming the feasibility of digital design and manufacturing of joints.