2021 Volume 2021 Pages 20210018
This research presents a level set-based topology optimization method involving user-specified parting surfaces for the molding process. First, the concept of topology optimization and the level set-based method is briefly described. Second, certain geometrical features needed for molds to be decomposed are clarified. Then, an extended normal vector is defined via Partial Differential Equation (PDE) of geometrical shape features, and such geometrical requirements for mold forming are expressed using the normal vector. Based on the PDE, the geometrical constraint for the molding process is formulated. Next, a topology optimization problem of the linear elastic problem is formulated considering the mold forming constraint. A level set-based topology optimization algorithm is constructed where the Finite Element Method (FEM) is applied to solve the governing equation of the linear elastic problem and the PDE for geometrical constraint and to update the level set function. Finally, numerical examples are offeblack to illustrate the mold releasability of the design, confirming the validity and the utility of the proposed method.
