Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine

Recent levels of structural integrity of components built in the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine have led to the decision to produce a structural aircraft component through this technology. The Aeroswift machine is capable of building larger Ti6Al4V parts at a more rapid pace th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Monaheng L F, du Preez W B, Kotze N, Vermeulen M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2020-01-01
Series:MATEC Web of Conferences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2020/17/matecconf_ti2019_03013.pdf
_version_ 1818883082489430016
author Monaheng L F
du Preez W B
Kotze N
Vermeulen M
author_facet Monaheng L F
du Preez W B
Kotze N
Vermeulen M
author_sort Monaheng L F
collection DOAJ
description Recent levels of structural integrity of components built in the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine have led to the decision to produce a structural aircraft component through this technology. The Aeroswift machine is capable of building larger Ti6Al4V parts at a more rapid pace than current commercial laser metal powder bed fusion systems. As prototype component, the nose-wheel fork of the AHRLAC aircraft, which was conventionally machined in aluminum alloy 7050, was selected. This paper describes the design, topology optimisation and the manufacturing approach taken in this project. Given the design space, loads, strength requirements and boundary conditions prescribed by the AHRLAC engineers, topology optimisation was performed on the nose-wheel fork to design a lightweight component for production in Ti6Al4V. Different topology optimisation software suites were used, to establish their capabilities and fit-for-purpose features. The optimised design and percentage of weight saving are presented. An assessment based on the experience with the different software suites is offered.
first_indexed 2024-12-19T15:28:00Z
format Article
id doaj.art-1b782f4be08343ca976607fd3d606ac3
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2261-236X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-19T15:28:00Z
publishDate 2020-01-01
publisher EDP Sciences
record_format Article
series MATEC Web of Conferences
spelling doaj.art-1b782f4be08343ca976607fd3d606ac32022-12-21T20:15:50ZengEDP SciencesMATEC Web of Conferences2261-236X2020-01-013210301310.1051/matecconf/202032103013matecconf_ti2019_03013Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machineMonaheng L F0du Preez W B1Kotze N2Vermeulen M3Central University of TechnologyCentral University of TechnologyADC Aeroswift, Wonderboom AirportADC Aeroswift, Wonderboom AirportRecent levels of structural integrity of components built in the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine have led to the decision to produce a structural aircraft component through this technology. The Aeroswift machine is capable of building larger Ti6Al4V parts at a more rapid pace than current commercial laser metal powder bed fusion systems. As prototype component, the nose-wheel fork of the AHRLAC aircraft, which was conventionally machined in aluminum alloy 7050, was selected. This paper describes the design, topology optimisation and the manufacturing approach taken in this project. Given the design space, loads, strength requirements and boundary conditions prescribed by the AHRLAC engineers, topology optimisation was performed on the nose-wheel fork to design a lightweight component for production in Ti6Al4V. Different topology optimisation software suites were used, to establish their capabilities and fit-for-purpose features. The optimised design and percentage of weight saving are presented. An assessment based on the experience with the different software suites is offered.https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2020/17/matecconf_ti2019_03013.pdftopology optimisationlaser metal powder bed fusiontitaniumnose-wheel fork
spellingShingle Monaheng L F
du Preez W B
Kotze N
Vermeulen M
Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
MATEC Web of Conferences
topology optimisation
laser metal powder bed fusion
titanium
nose-wheel fork
title Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
title_full Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
title_fullStr Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
title_full_unstemmed Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
title_short Topology optimisation of an aircraft nose-wheel fork for production in Ti6Al4V by the Aeroswift high-speed laser powder bed fusion machine
title_sort topology optimisation of an aircraft nose wheel fork for production in ti6al4v by the aeroswift high speed laser powder bed fusion machine
topic topology optimisation
laser metal powder bed fusion
titanium
nose-wheel fork
url https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2020/17/matecconf_ti2019_03013.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT monahenglf topologyoptimisationofanaircraftnosewheelforkforproductioninti6al4vbytheaeroswifthighspeedlaserpowderbedfusionmachine
AT dupreezwb topologyoptimisationofanaircraftnosewheelforkforproductioninti6al4vbytheaeroswifthighspeedlaserpowderbedfusionmachine
AT kotzen topologyoptimisationofanaircraftnosewheelforkforproductioninti6al4vbytheaeroswifthighspeedlaserpowderbedfusionmachine
AT vermeulenm topologyoptimisationofanaircraftnosewheelforkforproductioninti6al4vbytheaeroswifthighspeedlaserpowderbedfusionmachine