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Author:

Christian, Mark; Manuel, E.; Ting Lin, Po

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Abstract:

Computational design procedures have been more widely accepted during the past decades due to the improvements in computing technologies. Together with this, rapid advancements in the algorithms and automated design procedures have flourished. This paper focuses on topology optimization as one of the most viable and active research areas for automated designs. Topology optimization is an automated, “best material lay-out” process which follows the governing equations of one or more physics taken under consideration under a user-defined set of conditions and limitations. This paper does not intend to provide a technical overview of the said topic but rather it reviews several applications on the design of consumer products and structures. This paper would also tackle on how designers could benefit from the generated designs and how creativity can still be practiced despite the automation of the design. The idea of co-creation and maker movement is then explored with the insights on how topology optimization can be applied in these two areas of design. The designer’s role is highlighted in the trend of automated design and insights on how we are perceived to adapt to this are given. The case of multiple objectives is then briefly touched before presenting future possible trends for computational design utilizing topology optimization. Topology optimization would indeed be a valuable design tool that would make designers focus more on the other aspects of the design process rather than the technicalities that the physical world imposes.

Keywords:

topology optimization, automated design, insights