(A) study on the design of optomechanical flexure using multi-resolution topology optimization with adaptive isosurface variable grouping (MTOP-aIVG)

Abstract

Because finite elements and density elements are separated in multi-resolution topology optimization (MTOP), a relatively few finite elements can be used, thereby significantly reducing the computation cost of a finite element analysis (FEA) when conducted during the topology optimization process. However, for large-scale problems, numerous design variables are still required to precisely represent the optimum topology. This causes a major computational burden during the optimization process. In this paper, an efficient multi-resolution topology optimization (MTOP) method which uses adaptive isosurface variable grouping (aIVG) is proposed to alleviate the aforementioned computational burden associated with topology optimization by grouping design variables with similar grouping criteria into a single grouped design variable. Adaptive isosurface variable grouping is performed according to the grouping criterion which can be calculated using certain design variables and their related sensitivity values. Numerical examples, in this case 2D and 3D compliance minimization, a 2D compliant mechanism, 2D multiple displacement constraints, and 3D thermal compliance minimization demonstrate that the proposed MTOP-aIVG approach significantly reduces the computation time during the optimization process given its use of fewer design variables. Using MTOP-aIVG approach, a flexure topology optimization is performed, and new design of flexure can be acquired that satisfy the required performance with assembly load and operation environment load