Abstract
We obtained a high-rigidity and light-weight structure for an X-ray CT scanner gantry using topology and shape optimization methods. The optimization procedures were as follows. First we calculated the deformation caused by an imbalance of centrifugal forces and evaluated the strain energy density of the X-ray CT scanner gantry ; we focused on the stand through the calculation of the strain energy density. Then we determined the required stand stiffness satisfying the acceptable deformation that is the design specification to obtain high-quality tomograms. Finally, we optimized the stand under the constraint conditions for the stiffness. Thus, we confirmed that the optimized procedures have effectiveness for the X-ray CT scanner gantry design.
