Topology Optimization for Minimal Volume in 3D Printing

Compared with the traditional products manufacturing pattern, the cost of 3D printing products is still relatively high. It is important to optimize model to reduce print material consumption and printing costs without sacrificing print quality of the object surface. To solve this problem, we present a topology optimization algorithm for minimal volume in 3D printing with traditional evolutionary structural optimization methods combined with Von Mises stress. The algorithm calculates Von Mises stress of the model to guide the evolution of the volume reducing, until the maximum Von Mises stress reaches the allowable stress value of the material. Furthermore, we introduce multi-resolution technology to accelerate optimization computing from the coarse tetrahedral meshes to fine meshes, which effectively improves the computational efficiency. Compared with other existing methods, the optimization results of our method can be more flexible and better reflect the load transfer path of model under the given force.