Data assisted framework for topology design of micro-architected compliant mechanisms

A computational multiscale design of micro-architected compliant mechanisms is presented. The optimal design is performed with spatially varying material properties at the macro scale where the homogenized stiffness tensor is considered as the design variable (free material optimization). Mapping the obtained spatially -varying properties onto micro-architected materials is achieved using inverse design topology optimization. The originality of this work lies in using a database assisted framework in order to obtain the optimal design. Two approaches are compared: the first one does not make use of the database wheres the second approach is driven by an adequate material database. For the first approach, the required materials are constructed a posteriori while the materials are constructed a priori and stored in a catalog for the second approach. This catalog is then exploited during the macro-optimization. The performances of both methods is compared via different examples that highlight the advantages of the database strategy in terms of the required micro-architected materials feasibility.