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Investigation on Taubin smoothing performance of additively manufactured structures: case study of the MBB beam using laser powder bed fusion

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Abstract

Manufacturability of topology optimized models is a key element when it comes to the coupling of topology optimization (TO) and additive manufacturing. However, most topology optimization techniques generate models incorporating geometric inconsistencies that require additional post-processing. In this article, Taubin smoothing method is applied to an optimized Messerschmitt–Bölkow–Blohm beam using Solid Isotropic Microstructure with Penalization method of stainless steel 316L and produced using the selective laser melting (SLM) process. Furthermore, a performance-based analysis is realized to measure the mesh quality, using a set of quality metrics of the smooth mesh. Taubin method demonstrated a high capacity in preserving the overall volume while smoothing voxel elements engendering greater formability of the structure. The implemented conditioning of Taubin smoothing alongside SLM’s printing parameters produced high-quality surfaces with reasonable roughness. Numerical and experimental three-point bending tests are set to investigate both the stiffness performance and surface quality of the designed parts. The obtained results showed that the smooth manufactured parts are less stiff than the original TO model. Potential contributors are discussed, including the formation of an anisotropic microstructure of stainless steel 316L.

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Data availability

The experimental datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available in the Mississippi State University institutional repository, https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2311.

Abbreviations

TO:

Topology optimization

AM:

Additive manufacturing

SIMP:

Solid isotropic with material penalization

SS 316L:

Stainless steel 316L

STL:

Standard Tessellation Language

MBB:

Messerschmidt–Bölkow–Blohm

CAD:

Computer-aided design

FEA:

Finite element analysis

DfAM:

Design for additive manufacturing

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Acknowledgements

The experimental part of this work was conducted at the Center of Advanced Vehicular Systems of Mississippi State University. Furthermore, the expansion of this work was carried out in the frame of the cooperation between the Royal Center for Space Research and Studies (CRERS) and the Mohammed V University in Rabat (UM5R).

Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smart Communications Research Team, University Center for Research in Space Technologies, Mohammadia School of Engineers, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

    Mohammed Afify & Zouhair Guennoun

  2. Aerospace Engineering Department and Advanced Composites Institute, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, 39762, USA

    Davy M. Belk

  3. Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, 39762, USA

    Bian Linkan

  4. Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, 39762, USA

    Bian Linkan

  5. Q.S.M Laboratory, University Center for Research in Space Technologies, Mohammadia School of Engineers, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

    Younes Moubachir

  6. Royal Center for Space Research and Studies, Rabat, Morocco

    Jamila Hassar

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  1. Mohammed Afify
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Contributions

MA designed, conducted this research and drafted the manuscript. BL coordinated the 3D printing of the three-specimens. Both DMB and MA carried out the experiments and data analysis. Moreover, all the authors guided the study and participated in research coordination. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mohammed Afify.

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Afify, M., Belk, D.M., Linkan, B. et al. Investigation on Taubin smoothing performance of additively manufactured structures: case study of the MBB beam using laser powder bed fusion. Int J Interact Des Manuf 18, 11–31 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-023-01406-5

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