Designing a part by topology optimization

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program including instructions for performing the method for designing a part by topology optimization, comprising:

• defining a working volume for the optimization of the part;
• defining at least one boundary condition applied to the part;
• computing a vector field over the working volume, each vector of the field representing an optimal direction and a quantity of material corresponding to satisfy the at least one boundary condition;
• computing a set of flow lines by propagating from starting points in the vector field;
• for each flow line of the set, computing an element for the primary structure of the part;
• and
• computing a secondary structure of the part linking the set of primary as well as the secondary structure elements together.

A system comprising:

• a processor coupled to a memory and a graphical user interface, the memory having recorded thereon the computer program for designing a part by topology optimization that when executed by a processor causes the processor to be configured to:
• define a working volume for the optimization of the part;
• define at least one boundary condition applied to the part;
• compute a vector field over the working volume, each vector of the field representing an optimal direction and a quantity of material corresponding to satisfy the at least one boundary condition;
• compute a set of flow lines by propagating from starting points in the vector field;
• for each flow line of the set, compute an element for the primary structure of the part;
• and
• compute a secondary structure of the part inking the set of primary as well as the secondary structure elements together.