An evolutionary approach to microstructure optimisation of stereolithographic models

The aim of this work is to utilize an evolutationary algorithm to evolve the microstructure of an object created by a stereolithography machine. This should be optimised to be able to withstand loads applied to it while at the same time minimizing its overall weight. A two part algorithm is proposed which evolves the topology of the structure with a genetic algorithm, while calculating the details of the shape with a separate, deterministic, iterative process derived from standard principles of structural engineering. The division of the method into two separate processes allows both flexibility to changed design parameters without the need for re-evolution, and scalability of the microstructure to manufacture objects of increasing size. The results show that a structure was evolved that was both light and stable. The overall shape of the evolved lattice resembled a honeycomb structure that also satisfied the restrictions imposed by the stereolithography machine.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: CEC
• Authors: Siavash Haroun Mahdavi, Sean Hanna
• Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, CEC 2003, Evolutationary Algorithm, Microstructure, Stereolithography Machine