Applying topology optimization to design of planer machine parts

During the last two decades a new field of applied mathematics has been used very commonly in industrial and scientific applications, namely the topology optimization techniques. The technique takes very long solution times on Finite Element (FE) programs. Special topology optimization programs exist but also not preferred due to high cost. There are number of numerical Finite Element Method (FEM) based package programs to analyze structures. Developing a macro to use with a commercial FE program is considered to be very useful to optimize topology of machine parts during design stage.Some methods for topology optimization have been proposed in the literature. These methods are investigated in this study. The main idea of topology optimization is removal of low stressed material from a structure in an iterative process. Element Removal Method (ERM) depends on this idea. In this study, for application of ERM an algorithm is developed in Ansys which is commercial FE program.Results of the developed algorithm are compared with some published results. The results of the developed algorithm are also compared with that of Ansys topology optimization tool. All comparisons yielded satisfying results. Developed algorithm overcomes the problem of topology optimization: long solution time of the method. Time necessary for optimization of parts with high element number is reduced up to 90 %.