Free-size Optimization Manufacturability

This feature may be added one of the two ways.

DOPTPRM Card

DSIZE Card

Here, only the preferred minimum diameter (width in 2D) of members may be defined as the VALUE field, following the MINDIM keyword. A global minimum member size is defined in this way.Here, the preferred minimum, MINDIM member may be defined on the MEMBSIZ continuation line. Member size dimensions can be defined differently for each DSIZE entry in this way.

Minimum Member Size Control

Although minimum member size control penalizes the formation of small members, results that contain members significantly under the specified minimum member size can still be obtained. This is because a small member in the structure can be very important to the load transmission and may not be removed by penalization. Minimum member size control functions more as a quality control than a quantity control.

A discrete solution is achieved in two iterative steps. The first step converges to a solution with a large number of semi-dense elements. The second step tries to refine this solution to a solution with fully dense members. Each step consists of a number of iterations. The first step consists of two entire convergence phases - the first run with the initial discreteness values (defined by DISCRETE and DISCRT1D parameters on the DOPTPRM Bulk Data Entry), followed by a run with the discreteness values increased by 1.0. This procedure is implemented in order to achieve a solution with clearly defined members. If this step does not create a solution with clearly defined members, the preferred minimum member size will not be preserved in the second step. In which case, you will need to increase the discreteness parameters and/or reduce the convergence tolerance (defined by the OBJTOL parameter on the DOPTPRM Bulk Data Entry) to improve the solution of the first phase. The default discreteness is set to 1.0 for 1D elements, plates and shells, and 2.0 for 3D solids.

In general, once MINDIM is activated, checkerboarding is controlled by the methods applied for this feature, eliminating the need for the CHECKER parameter. In rare circumstances, checkerboards may still be introduced in the second phase described above for 3D solids. If this happens, an additional checkerboard control algorithm can be activated with the MMCHECK parameter. (The CHECKER and MMCHECK parameters are defined using the DOPTPRM Bulk Data Entry).

The use of this card will assure a checkerboard-free solution, although with the undesired side effect of achieving a solution that involves a large number of semi-dense elements, similar to the result of setting CHECKER equal to 1. Therefore, use this card only when it is necessary.

It is recommended that MINDIM be at least 3 times the average element size for all elements referenced by that DSIZE (or all designable elements when defined on DOPTPRM). The average element size for 2D elements is calculated as the average of the square root of the area of the elements, and for 3D elements, as the average of the cubic root of the volume of the elements.

This recommendation is enforced when combined with other manufacturing constraints, and if the defined MINDIM is less than this value, it will be reset to a default value equal to 3 times the average element size.

MINDIM can be smaller than the mesh size. When a value smaller than the mesh size is applied, the effect is similar to checkerboard control but with the 3-phase convergence phases process and possibly a more discrete result. Minimum member size control has a 3-phase iterative process where the final phase targets the removal of the semi-dense element layer. If manufacturing constraints are applied, minimum member size control is always activated. However, the final iterative phase will not target the removal of semi-dense elements as this may have an adverse effect on manufacturing constraint preservation.

To achieve this goal, a main DSIZE card needs to be defined, followed by any number of secondary DSIZE cards which reference the main. The main and secondary components are related to each other through local coordinate systems, which are required, and through scaling factors, which are optional.

Other manufacturing constraints, such as minimum or maximum member size, can be applied to the main DSIZE card. These constraints will then automatically be applied to the secondary DSIZE card(s) as described in the sections below.

Local Coordinates Systems

The definition of the fourth point allows for both right-handed and left-handed coordinate systems, which facilitates the creation of reflected patterns.

Figure 1. Local Coordinate Systems

Scaling Factors

Scaling factors in the X, Y, and Z directions can be defined for each secondary DSIZE card. These factors are always related to the local coordinate system. By playing with the local coordinate systems and the scaling factors, a wide range of effects can be obtained as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Scaling Factors

Planar Symmetry

It is often desirable to produce a design that has symmetry. Unfortunately, even if the design space and boundary conditions are symmetric, conventional free-size optimization methods do not guarantee a perfectly symmetric design.

By using symmetry constraints in free-size optimization, symmetric designs can be attained regardless of the initial mesh, boundary conditions, or loads. Symmetry can be enforced across one plane, two orthogonal planes, or three orthogonal planes. A symmetric mesh is not necessary, as OptiStruct will create variables that are very close to identical across the plane(s) of symmetry.

To define symmetry across one plane, it is necessary to provide an anchor grid and a reference grid. The first vector runs from the anchor grid to the reference grid. The plane of symmetry is normal to that vector and passes through the anchor grid.

Figure 3. Symmetry Across One Plane

To define symmetry across two planes, a second reference grid needs to be provided. The second vector runs from the anchor grid to the projection of the second reference grid onto the first plane of symmetry. The second plane of symmetry is normal to that vector and passes through the anchor grid.

Figure 4. Symmetry Across Two Planes

To define symmetry across three planes, no additional information is required, other than to indicate that a third plane of symmetry is to be used. The third plane of symmetry is perpendicular to the first two planes of symmetry, and also passes through the anchor grid.

Figure 5. Symmetry Across Three Planes

Uniform Element Thickness

Pattern grouping also provides the possibility to request a uniform element thickness throughout selected components.

This pattern group ensures that all elements of selected components maintain the same element thickness with respect to one another.

Cyclical Symmetry

Cyclical symmetry can also be defined through the use of pattern grouping.

With cyclical pattern grouping, the design is repeated about a central axis a number of times determined by you. Furthermore, the cyclical repetitions can be symmetric within themselves. If that option is selected, OptiStruct will force each wedge to be symmetric about its centerline.

To define cyclical symmetry, it is necessary to provide an anchor grid and a reference grid. The axis of symmetry runs from the anchor grid to the reference grid. It is also necessary to specify the number of cycles; the repetition angle will be automatically computed.

Figure 6. Cyclical Symmetry

To add planar symmetry within each wedge, a second reference grid needs to be provided. The plane of symmetry is determined by the anchor grid and the two reference grids.

Figure 7. Planar Symmetry

Linear and Planar Pattern Grouping (TYP=20 and TYP=21)

Linear pattern grouping requires that the anchor point and first point be defined. A vector from the anchor point to the first point defines the direction in which the thickness is set to be constant. Linear pattern grouping is typically designed to handle models with minimal or no curvature in the specified vector direction (which is typically orthogonal to the rolling direction in rolling applications). For models with low curvature in the vector direction, appropriate projections to the surface are used to determine the direction on the surface. For models with high curvature in the vector direction, depending on the direction of the specified vector, the direction may become orthogonal to the surface whereby the pattern grouping direction cannot be determined. In such cases, Planar Pattern Grouping (TYP=21) is recommended.

Figure 8. Planar Pattern Grouping

Planar pattern grouping requires that the anchor point and first point be defined. A vector from the anchor point to the first point is defined and thickness of the model in the various orthogonal planes to this vector is set to be constant. Planar pattern grouping is designed to handle models with high curvature in the orthogonal planes of the defined vector, and with minimal or no curvature in the direction of the defined vector. The vector defined in planar pattern grouping should typically lie in the rolling direction in rolling applications. This feature can handle large curvature in the slicing plane orthogonal to the defined vector. Planar pattern grouping cannot be used if large curvature exists in the rolling direction.

Figure 9.