Investigation on Taubin Smoothing Performance of Additively Manufactured Structures: Case Study of the MBB Beam Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Manufacturability of topology optimized models is a key element when it comes to the coupling of topology optimization (TO) and additive manufacturing. However, most topology optimization techniques generate models incorporating geometric inconsistencies that require additional post-processing. In this article, Taubin smoothing method is applied to an optimized Messerschmitt–Bölkow–Blohm beam using Solid Isotropic Microstructure with Penalization method of stainless steel 316L and produced using the selective laser melting (SLM) process. Furthermore, a performance-based analysis is realized to measure the mesh quality, using a set of quality metrics of the smooth mesh. Taubin method demonstrated a high capacity in preserving the overall volume while smoothing voxel elements engendering greater formability of the structure. The implemented conditioning of Taubin smoothing alongside SLM’s printing parameters produced high-quality surfaces with reasonable roughness. Numerical and experimental three-point bending tests are set to investigate both the stiffness performance and surface quality of the designed parts. The obtained results showed that the smooth manufactured parts are less stiff than the original TO model. Potential contributors are discussed, including the formation of an anisotropic microstructure of stainless steel 316L.