| dc.description.abstract | This thesis presents a feature-driven topology optimization method that preserves component sequence by controlling the inter-dependence of sub-structures. Component sequence preservation is an essential requirement in many engineering applications, such as additive manufacturing of continuous fibre-reinforced polymer (AM-CFRP) structures, deployable chain-like structures, 4D printed structures, customized stents, soft robotics parts. In this work, the inter-dependence of sub-structures is taken into account. A bar with semi-circular ends is used as a basic design feature. The positions of the bar’s endpoints are treated as design variables and the width of the bars is kept constant. The chain-of-bars design variables setting scheme is developed to realize the sequential component’s layout, which sets the current bar’s endpoint as the next bar’s start point. The angle between adjacent bars is constrained to avoid structural disconnections caused by sharp angles at the turning point of the 3D printing path. Also, the total length of the bars is constrained to reduce material consumption and weight. Next, the sensitivity analysis considering the inter-dependence of substructures is performed. As another application, the feature-driven topology optimization method preserving component sequence is used to design the supporting frame structure of an origami fire-protection device. The design and manufacture of the origami fire-protection device with a supporting frame structure that needs to be portable and sufficiently stiff, are presented. Finally, the full-scale prototype of the origami fire-protection device is fabricated. The structure of this thesis is as follows. An introduction is presented in Chapter 1, followed by Chapter 2 of a literature review. The methodology of the optimization problem setting and sensitivity analysis are the subjects of Chapter 3. The results start from Chapter 4 which covers optimization for 3D printing path and structure. The potential of the feature-driven method preserving component sequence for a deployable chain-like supporting frame structure of an origami fire-prevention device is presented in Chapter 5. Finally, the overall results of this work, general conclusions and an outlook, are presented in Chapter 6. | en_US |
