An improved model placement orientation optimization based on additive manufacturing technology

Purpose This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of additively manufactured (AM) parts by optimizing the orientation of the model during printing and proposes an exact initial point method to improve the effectiveness of orientation optimization. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a transversely isotropic material model with a rotation matrix, utilizing the moving asymptote method (MMA) for orientation optimization to determine optimal component placement angles for improved mechanical properties. To address the issue of potential local optima in MMA, an improved method for selecting exact initial iteration points is proposed. This method involves fixing the movement direction of MMA, adjusting step sizes and introducing a criterion to select suitable initial iteration points, thereby preventing local optima and improving the solution's efficiency. Additionally, the study evaluates how the print direction influences the mechanical properties of topology-optimized structural parts by integrating AM and structural topology optimization. Findings Research has shown that optimizing the placement angle of the AM model can improve the mechanical properties of the component and that directional optimization also has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of topologically optimized structural parts. In addition, by using an improved method with exact initial iteration points, the local optimal problem of the MMA can be effectively avoided, thus improving the solution efficiency. Originality/value The placement direction of the AM model is linked to the mechanical properties of the model, and the MMA is used to achieve direction optimization to improve the mechanical properties of the AM model. On this basis, an accurate initial point method is proposed to avoid the phenomenon of local optimal solution in the direction optimization process of MMA, which makes up for the shortcomings of MMA in optimization.