February 17, 2025
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February 17, 2025
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Generative Design Tools That Put You in Control – PART II

Key Takeaways
Generative Design
Above: Patient-specific bone plates designed in nTop Platform by an established medical device company/Image Source: nTopology

Continuing where the first Generative Design article left off, we now talk about nTop’s approach generative design that is so much more than just topology optimization. If you haven’t read the first article, then click here to read the same.

nTop’s Approach to Generative Design

nTop Platform is the only generative design solution today that gives engineers direct and predictable control over every aspect of the process and its outputs. Not only does it accelerate concept design, but it also provides a platform for developing next-generation design, simulation, and manufacturing workflows that can be deployed throughout your organization.

We identified the limitations of traditional modelling technologies, so we built nTop Platform on an unbreakable geometry. It is based on an implicit modelling engine, a technology we pioneered for mechanical engineering applications, that is lightning fast, extremely robust, and easily handles geometries with arbitrary complexity.

We understood your need to create standardized engineering design processes, so we created a platform where built-in and user-created capabilities seamlessly merge into reusable workflows. In a sense, working in nTop Platform resembles more software development than using traditional CAD systems. Multiple stakeholders can collaborate to build scalable systems that concisely encapsulate engineering knowledge, manufacturing methodologies, and your in-house IP. These systems can then be deployed and reused throughout your organization.

We experienced the need to go beyond topology optimization, so we developed a generative design methodology we call field-driven design. Every physical attribute can be described as a field; from simulation results and experimental data to the geometry of a solid body. nTop Platform gives engineers the unique capability to superimpose such fields to create optimized structures. Field-driven design produces pre-validated results, can be applied to Multiphysics problems, and takes advantage of existing engineering knowledge.

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Of course, we incorporated state-of-the-art topology optimization and design analysis tools in nTop Platform, because we do believe that they add value to engineering. We also understand that any new software should fit into your existing processes, so we made sure that nTop Platform can easily integrate with all other CAD, CAM, CAE, or PLM systems that you are already using.

Over the years, nTop Platform has evolved into a true generative design platform that augments the capabilities of engineers and we continue to add new features with every new release.

Check out how nTopology’s customers are taking advantage of the capabilities on nTop Platform.

Application: Aerospace Company Re-Imagines the Engine Cylinder

Generative Design
Above: Cross section of a drone engine cylinder designed in nTop Platform by Cobra Aero/Image Source: nTopology

Cobra Aero completely re-imagined the air-cooled cylinder of their internal combustion UAV engine using field-driven design. Instead of the commonly used fins, they opted for a lattice infill structure. To optimize the performance of the cylinder they combined Multiphysics simulation to account for factors like temperature, air velocity, stresses, and pressure to spatially control the thickness and density of the lattice, while also meeting weight and DfAM requirements.

Application: Multifunctional Optimization of Automotive Component

Topology optimization
Above: Automotive brake caliper designed in nTop Platform by Yamaichi Special Steel/Image Source: nTopology

Yamaichi Special Steel used a generative process to redesign this brake pedal meeting multiple engineering requirements that are often neglected, such as fatigue strength, heat management, and impact resistance from gravel. To achieve this they utilized topology optimization reducing its weight by 40% but also rapidly generated and evaluated multiple advanced lattice geometries to identify the optimal solution.

Our Contribution to Engineering

nTop Platform’s unbreakable geometry, reusable workflows, and field-driven design is our contribution to the world of engineering. We believe that engineers and designers can solve the pressing issues that the world is facing today. We don’t attempt to replace them but rather augment their capabilities with digital design tools enabling them to apply radical approaches to engineering and build transformative products.

To learn more about how nTop Platform can unlock the promise of generative design, the “Generative Design with Complete Control: nTop’s Approach to Generative Design” guide is now available for download. Or you could see in action how the generative design tools of nTop Platform can address your specific advanced engineering design needs brequesting a demo.

Note: This article was first published Here.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alkaios Bournias

Alkaios Bournias-Varotsis, PhD, is the Product Marketing Manager with nTopology. He is an engineer and a digital marketer with deep expertise in additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and advanced engineering products.

Manufactur3D Team
Manufactur3D Team reports on the latest news, insights and analysis from the Indian and the Global 3D Printing Industry. They share updates from Industry leading companies to Startups and covers their latest developments.
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