Progress and recent trends in generative design

¹ School of Production Engineering and Management, Computational Mechanics and Optimization Laboratory, Technical University of Crete GR-73100 Chania, Greece email: gestavr@dpem.tuc.gr, www.comeco.tuc.gr
² School of Engineer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estauromenos, 71004 Heraklion, Greece e-mail: ntintakis@hmu.gr

^* Corresponding author: gestavr@dpem.tuc.gr

Abstract

Due to recent developments in the field of additive manufacturing enormous advantages have become in product design and manufacturing process. Before the appearance of additive manufacturing, developing very complex or light weight structures was difficult to manufacture. The development of artificial intelligent technology helps to develop new collaborative tools and algorithms. Generative design approach is one of them. The outcome model from a generative design study is not depending only from designer/engineer experience or his knowledge. Designers can react with sophisticated algorithms through CAD programs to specify the shape and the topology of the model. A significant tool on a generative design system is topology optimization which is able to generate different solutions. The changes in design process are significant. A rough conceptual design (sketch) or a 3d model is first prepared. Then, boundary conditions, safety factor, manufacturing limitations and materials properties are defined. The generative design system generates potential solutions. It’s up to the designer to find the design that best fits to his need. In this paper the review covers the limitations of current systems through the study of specific design cases using commercial generative design systems.