Introduction: Week 5: Structurally Optimized or Generative Chair

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This week's assignment was to create a structurally optimized or generative chair.

Supplies

Autodesk Fusion 360 (Education License)

3D printer

filament

Step 1: Topology Optimization

I followed the steps of topology optimization in the class:

1) Create a sketch followed by extrusion.
2) Specify the structural loads.
3) Specify the regions of the model to be preserved.
4) Perform a solve operation
5) Render & Print

* After topology optimization, my chair model's side lines became wiggly. The actual printed result doesn't look as smooth as the rendering result.

Step 2: Generative Design

I first downloaded a faceted chair design file from the following website: https://a360.co/39VLVf7. Then I followed the instructions from the class. I didn't use enough obstacles for the first trial, so the software generated structures on top of the seat. For the second trial, I added more obstacles so that it won't generate anything on the seat. The result is quite satisfying, but I am running one more study with more obstacles in the bottom.

Step 3: Printed Results

I have printed two chairs. The one on the left was printed with tree support, but one on the right was printed without support, which made edges not clean.