Structural optimization and additive manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing technology offers almost unlimited capacity when manufacturing parts with complex geometries which could be impossible to get with conventional manufacturing processes. This paper is based on the study of a particular real part which has been redesigned and manufactured using an AM process. The challenge consists of redesigning the geometry of an originally aluminium made part, in order to get a new stainless steel made model with same mechanical properties but with less weight. The new design is the result of a structural optimization process based on Finite Element simulations which is carried out bearing in mind the facilities that an AM process offers. The results of the structural optimization showed that the mechanical properties can be achieved but a lighter model made of stainless steel instead of aluminium was not possible to produce.