Optimization of a production process

A method (1) for optimizing a production process for a component (20, 32) to be produced by additive manufacturing, by means of a simulation (2) of the production process (50), wherein predetermined required properties of the component (20, 32) are specified as boundary conditions of the simulation (2), and the method includes the following method steps (a, b, c, d) which are carried out within the scope of the simulation:

• a) determining a position of the component (20, 32) in a production space which is optimized according to a process optimization criterion (7);
• b) computing dislocations of and/or stresses on the component (20, 32) which may be caused by the production process (50);
• c) determining supporting structures (31), which are optimized according to the process optimization criterion (7), which counteract the dislocations and/or stresses;
• d) determining at least a portion of the design of the component (20, 32) that is optimized according to a component optimization criterion (8).