Evolutionary multi-objective optimization of truss topology for additively manufactured components

This paper focuses on the use of truss topology optimization using an evolutionary approach to find optimized, additively manufactured components through a multi-objective formulation, keeping in mind application areas like 3D printing. Additive manufacturing plays a key role here, as the inherent complexity of most optimized truss structures would not allow for any different manufacturing techniques. The multi-optimization formulation consists of optimizing two conflicting objectives: minimization of structural compliance and minimization of heat flowing from the structure to its supports. A background on truss topology optimization, including a literature overview and the motivation behind the problem, is presented. The physical models and the optimization algorithms are explained and afterward, an example problem is solved and analyzed.