Optimal composites

Optimal composites, as one might guess, are those having an optimal tradeoff between different parameters against set constraints: the optimality itself arises from limitations. If there are no requirements, there is no optimization. Such constraints can be light weight, sufficient strength, high stiffness, material choice, or many others.

Optimization involves ergonomic shape: we calculate the deformation inside a part and remove all the unloaded areas thus making its shape suitable for the set purposes. It also includes reinforcement of the areas that bear the most stress with anisotropic structures. A popular and elegant solution for that task is lattice structures, they allow to make parts that are not solid inside, but behave like solid objects. Grids density leverages weight, while continuous carbon fiber (in anisogrid lattice) controls strength and stiffness parameters due to high fiber strength and elasticity modulus.

In most cases, a part does not have to be equally strong in all directions, or in other words a part is not uniformly loaded, so in some areas, this strength is redundant, which means this is right the point for optimization. We sacrifice that strength for the sake of keeping the rest parameters as required. This is the way to optimize composites.

#compositematerials #3dpringing #optimization #anisoprinting