Background

In ProTOp the optimization domain of a part can be configured in order to achieve certain design objectives. For this purpose, three configurator types are available as follows:

• solid configurator,
• shell configurator, and
• lattice configurator.

Each configurator type enforces certain design restrictions on the optimization domain.

█ Solid configurator

The solid configurator is the one with the least functionality. It merely enables to start the optimization either with material or void volume region. Starting from void might be preferred under special circumstances related mainly to computational efficiency.

Figure. Solid configurator: one half of the free domain is configured as void.

█ Shell configurator

The shell configurator enables to design solid parts as optimal shell-like structures. Typically, it can be used standalone or in combination with lattice configurators.

Figure. Shell configurator: free domain is configured as an open shell.

█ Lattice configurator

The lattice configurator enables to design solid parts as optimal lattice structures. Typically, it can be used standalone or in combination with shell configurators.

Figure. Lattice configurator: free domain is filled with a honeycomb lattice structure.

█ Configurator combinations

All configurator types can be arbitrarily combined to get the desired domain configuration.

Figure. Solid, shell, and lattice configurators combined.

█ Error and warning conditions

A configurator data row is flagged by an error status in the following situations:

• The configurator type is other than Solid, Shell, or Lattice.
• The volume region reference of a solid configurator is not valid.
• The referenced volume region of a solid configurator is flagged by error status.
• The surface region reference of a shell configurator is not valid.
• The referenced surface region of a shell configurator is flagged by error status.
• The minimal shell thickness is less than zero.
• The maximal shell thickness is less than minimal shell thickness.
• The volume region reference of a lattice configurator is not valid.
• The referenced volume region of a lattice configurator is flagged by error status.
• The coordinate system reference of a lattice configurator is not valid.
• The referenced coordinate system of a lattice configurator is flagged by error status.
• The maximal range limits of a lattice configurator are less than minimal range limits.
• The minimal lattice thickness is less than zero.
• The maximal lattice thickness is less than minimal lattice thickness.