Multi-component structure optimization for combining 3-D printed and commercially available parts

A non-transitory computer readable medium having code stored therein for determining a multi-component structure (MCS) model, wherein the code when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to:

• obtain a 3-D print model of an object, wherein the 3-D print model is based on load case criteria;
• determine a portion of the 3-D print model that can be replaced with a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) part model, such that the load case criteria remain satisfied;
• and
• replace the portion with the COTS part model to determine the MCS model,
• wherein replacing the portion with the COTS part model includes performing multi-objective analysis based on a plurality of objective functions, and
• wherein the objective functions comprise at least evaluating structural performance or a number of joints.

An apparatus for determining a multi-component structure (MCS) model, the apparatus comprising:

• a three-dimensional (3-D) print model module configured to obtain a 3-D print model of an object, wherein the 3-D print model is based on load case criteria;
• a model replacement determiner module configured to determine a portion of the 3-D print model that can be replaced with a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) part model, such that the load case criteria remain satisfied;
• and
• a COTS replacement module configured to replace the portion with the COTS part model to determine the MCS model,
• wherein replacing the portion with the COTS part model includes performing multi-objective analysis based on a plurality of objective functions, and
• wherein the objective functions comprise at least evaluating structural performance or a number of joints.