The extended level set method (X-LSM) and conformal geometry theory are employed to enable conformal topology optimization of the ferromagnetic soft active structures on free-form surfaces. A magnetic body force is adopted to control the deformation of the ferromagnetic soft active structures. The boundary evolution on a free-form 3D surface can be mapped into a 2D rectangular plane by solving a modified Hamilton-Jacobi equation weighted by conformal factors. Two topologically optimized designs are printed using the functional 3D printing technology, or the so-called 4D printing, to physically realize soft active structures with built-in functionalities.
Geometry and material, two perpetual theme in soft robots design. This work aims to design multi-material ferromagnetic soft robot. Multi-material ferromagnetic soft robots are optimized for the desired kinematic performance vis reconciled level set (RLS) method. This type of magnetically driven structure can carry out more complex shape transformations by introducing ferromagnetic materials with more than one magnetization direction. In addition, the reconciled level set (RLS) method is firstly implemented within the X-LSM framework in this work to enable the design of multi-material ferromagnetic soft active structures on free-from surfaces.
Generators and motors are considered as the core application of electric machines, which require high-cost rare-earth-based permanent magnets. The development of electric machines is moving toward high efficiency, low cost and increased environmental friendliness. Minimizing the use of rare earth materials such as magnetic materials under the premise of machine performance emerges as a challenging task. Level-Set based topology optimization is promisingly applied to advance the design of Rare-Earth (RE) permanent magnet structures for generator systems and improve the architecture and design methodology of future generators and electric motors.
Complex hollow turbine blades are core components of aircraft engines demanding for high precision in size and dimension, and its quality is critical to the development and manufacture of aircraft engines. The manufacturing process, investment casting, is simulated based on ProCAST platform. The investment casting process parameters are optimized to reduce the warpage of turbine blade platform. A deformation compensation method based on reverse deformation was proposed to reduce the casting deformation of turbine blade.