Owing to recent advances in additive manufacturing technology, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) has been used to overcome design limitations due to constraints in traditional manufacturing processes. In this study, we applied DfAM technology to design lightweight and consolidated vacuum grippers for inspection equipment. We proposed a consolidated design to reduce manufacturing time and costs, which previously encompassed assembling eleven components. Topology optimization was used to reduce part weight while maintaining structural rigidity and safety, and two optimization models were designed: two-piece and one-piece models. Based on these optimized geometries, the internal vacuum paths were designed in a curved shape to enhance adsorption characteristics. Numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the structural performance and flow characteristics of the initial design and the two optimization models. The pressure drop of the one-piece model, which was the best design, was reduced to 1/8 of the initial design and the structural safety factor was predicted to be 6.37. This final design was then additively manufactured by a digital light processing type 3D printer and the weight of the resulting parts was reduced from 12.94 to 2.08 g. Experimental observation found that the additively manufactured vacuum gripper showed enhanced absorption performance compared to the initial design.
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The purpose of this study was to design a sledge frame for para ice hockey in which an athlete sits and plays on a sledge. A sledge comprises a bucket, a blade carrier, and a frame. A sledge frame is usually fabricated by welding a number of pipes, and thus its structural safety is degenerated at the welded joints. In this study, the sledge frame was redesigned using the principle of DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing), to reduce the frame weight as well as to have sufficient structural safety. As an application of DfAM, the part consolidation was performed for six joints from which the number of welding spots was reduced to 56% (From 16 to 9). Among the resulting four consolidated joints, topology optimization was performed for three joints to reduce their weight while maintaining higher structural stiffness and safety. As a result, the structural stiffness and safety of the joints improved remarkably, and the resulting frame weight was reduced by 20% (From 1.66 to 1.34 kg). This weight reduction with structural enhancement is expected to improve athletes’ performance and safety in para ice hockey games.
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To secure the precision forming capability of a press while reducing its production and transport costs, the development of stiff and lightweight frame is important. In this study, the topology and multi-objective structural optimization problem of a frame structure was introduced with an effort to develop highly stiff and lightweight frame for a mechanical press with 300 ton capacity. First, a design space model was constructed to derive a new frame structure different from the existing one for topology optimization. Using the design of experiments and the structural analysis model of the frame structure improved based on the topology optimization result, the multi-objective optimization problem was established with loop stiffness and mass of frame as objectives and the steel plate thickness as design variable. The review on Pareto optimum solutions of the multi-objective optimization problem revealed the fact that this optimization method could significantly contribute to the high stiffness and lightweight frame structure for a mechanical press.
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In this paper, topology optimization of a main roller for Multi-wire saws is conducted for the purpose of reducing mass of the main roller. Modal analysis is carried out to evaluate whether the resonance could have occurred, or not. The pressure from the cutting wires are modelled mathematically. Topology optimization analysis with the pressure model developed is conducted to derive optimal solution of the sectional shape of the roller. As a result, the cross section of the main roller manifests as an arch shape. The mass of the final optimal model is reduced by 14%, while the deflection and natural frequencies of the roller is same as those of the base model.
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