Topology optimization as an innovative design method for additive manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM), popularly called 3D Printing, enables the manufacture of nearly any complex geometries by adding layer by layer of material. Advances in AM technologies are the ability to fabricate products without the need for process planning, the removal of tooling compared with the conventional manufacturing technologies. AM opens opportunities for product designers so they can freely create any complicated geometries of their products without thinking about manufacturability constraints. However, it is necessary to have a method to design a product for additive manufacturing technologies. Thus, a novel approach as an innovative design tool using topology optimization is presented in the paper. It is to help designer create an optimal structure of product with the least amount of material used, but still ensure the mechanical properties of product.