Topology optimization methods for additive manufacturing: a review

Abstract

Topology optimization is widely recognized for its ability to determine the best distribution of material in a structure to optimize its stiffness. This process often leads to creative configurations that produce complicated geometries challenging to construct using traditional techniques. Additive manufacturing has recently received a lot of interest from academics as well as industry. When compared to traditional methods, additive manufacturing or 3D printing offers considerable benefits (direct manufacture, time savings, fabrication of complex geometries, etc.). Recently, additive manufacturing techniques are increasingly being employed in industry to create complex components that cannot be produced using standard methods. The primary benefit of these techniques is the amount of creative flexibility they give designers. Additive manufacturing technology with higher resolution output capabilities has created a wealth of options for bridging the topology optimization and product application gap. This paper is a preliminary attempt to determine the key aspects of research on the integration of topology optimization and additive manufacturing, to outline topology optimization methods for these aspects with a review of various scientific and industry applications during the last years.