About the Optimization Utility

Autodesk® Optimization Utility for Netfabb® (referred to as Optimization Utility for brevity) is a software tool that can be used to enhance 3D parts using two different approaches, namely Lattice Optimization and Topology Optimization. Optimization Utility can use lattices and skins of various sizes, thicknesses and densities to generate enhanced 3D parts. The resulting output of the Optimization Utility software is an optimised form of your 3D parts referred to as components that are lighter in weight but maintain the performance characteristics you expect e.g. being stiff in some areas and flexible in others. Moreover, Optimization Utility can optimize the shape of your solid 3D part itself by the computational approach of Topology Optimization. While generating new and optimised 3D shapes, Optimization Utility respects the same performance criteria as the lattice optimization.

Optimization Utility may be used with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software tools, which can be used to simulate and optimize the performance of the designed 3D components output by Optimization Utility. Optimization Utility supports integration with Autodesk® Nastran FEA solver.

• Importing and displaying multiple 3D parts from a number of file formats.
• Creating lattices of different topologies and sizes for imported 3D parts.
• Creating skins of varying thickness for imported 3D parts.
• Defining load cases with boundary conditions for 3D parts you wish to optimise.
• Defining variable density lattices and skins using thickness kernels.
• Verifying the performance of 3D components consisting of lattices and skins based on defined boundary conditions.
• Manually altering the density of lattices and skins in your 3D components to improve their performance based on defined boundary conditions and requirements.
• Automatically optimizing the current lattice and skin using the Optimization Engine of Autodesk® Optimization Utility for Netfabb® to meet the defined boundary conditions and requirements.
• Exporting an optimized component consisting of lattices, skins and solids for your imported 3D parts.
• Automatically optimizing the Topology of defined solid parts using the Topology Optimization Engine of Autodesk® Nastran’s to meet the defined boundary conditions and constraints.
• Generating a high quality surface from the optimized part-topology.
• Saving optimization projects consisting of your imported 3D parts and defined lattice, skin, boundary condition, thickness kernel and optimization properties.

The following sections of this manual describe the Optimization Utility software interface and provide instructions on how it can be used to carry out these tasks.